By Aaron Violi
Australia Day is about acknowledging and celebrating the contribution of each and every person to this beautiful country.
From the Indigenous Australians who have occupied these lands for more than 65,000 years, to the new immigrants who recently became citizens – we are all Australians, and we all share a stake in our country’s future.
If the Yarra Ranges Council Citizenship and Awards ceremonies on January 26 were anything to go by, our future is bright.
Congratulations to the 39 individuals who received their citizenship last Thursday at the Civic Centre. You have each chosen the best part of Australia to call home – just like my family did when they migrated from Italy to Silvan in the 1950’s.
The spirit of our community was on show right across the electorate on Australia Day.
It was great to get out to Monbulk for the Rotary Club of Monbulk and District’s annual Australia Day breakfast, followed by Wandin Rotary’s breakfast at the new Wandin North Community Pavilion. Both clubs put on a fantastic day for our community to come together and celebrate our national day.
No Australia Day could ever be complete without acknowledging some of the incredible people in our communities. Congratulations to all of the 2023 Yarra Ranges Council Award recipients – Jeff Gill who received the Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Willow Swaneveld who is our Young Citizen of the Year, Allora Cumming on being named Young Environmental Achiever and Sam Halim on being awarded the Ian De La Rue Award for Community Leadership.
Congratulations also to Jane Hollands from Friends of Sassafras Creek on being named Environmental Achiever of the Year.
It goes without saying that we have far too many wonderful community groups to pick just one. Congratulations to The Philanthropic Collective and Friends of Glenfern Valley Bushlands on both being named Community Groups of the Year.
And lastly, a special congratulations to our Citizen of the Year, Bec Rosel for her outstanding work in organising the inaugural Lilydale Street Fair back in December. It was a great family-friendly event that showcased all that Lilydale has to offer.
Casey is full of generous, compassionate and hardworking people who work tirelessly to see our community thrive. It was great to see so many of them have their contribution recognised.
To all our new citizens, friends and neighbours – I say welcome. Welcome to the greatest part of the greatest country in the world.
