I hope you all had a great Australia day. I witnessed 146 people from 30 countries make their commitment to Australia at the Hawthorn town hall.
Our Australia Day Ambassador, Mr Tony Charlton, told us to strive, set high standards and make a difference.
Jan Dimmock OAM, shared with us what it is to be Australian and a warm welcome to those taking the final step in their citizenship quest today.
Ted Baillieu MP spoke of Waltzing Matilda, the importance of remembering where we came from, and knowing that Australia is a friendly place.
Our Mayor Jack Wegman, asked us to remeber those serving in our name, around the globe, and wishing them a speedy and safe return.
He has been involved in the Royal Flying Doctors Service Auxiliary for 19 years, again raising funds for the purchase of new aircraft and equipment. He has been active with the Boy Scouts for 40 years and was awarded the National President's Award for outstanding service in 2006.
His other volunteer roles have been at the Alkira Centre (where he reads to people with intellectual disabilities) and at the AshwoodSchool where he publishes the weekly newsletter. He also devotes much time to his disabled grandchild.
Young Citizen of the year Phillip Malis runs a non-profit youth community organisation called 'Twenty4 Community Media' which produces 'The Sutton' newspaper providing local news to his local area with the assistance of youth volunteers.
He founded and runs the non-profit Australian Youth Climate Change Council, aimed at raising awareness and educating youth.
His activities as a volunteer include the Boroondara Eisteddfod over the last 3 years; St John's Ambulance since 2007 where he has already completed over 400 hours of community service; he is cellist and Artistic Director of the Spencer Quartet that has performed around Boroondara for the last 2 years and he has been active in student leadership as Student Ambassador and Senior School Council Member in years 10 and 11 respectively. At 17 years of age, he has accomplished much so we can only admire his efforts and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
A community service award went to Ms Fran Van Brummelen. Fran trained as a personnel officer at the RoyalMelbourneHospital, and then held a social work position at Preston & NorthcoteCommunityHospital. She worked as a social worker at Kew Cottages for 23 years and maintains contact with many of those former residents and staff. Upon retirement, she volunteered as an English language tutor to migrants, has been a volunteer tutor 3 days a week at Glenferrie Primary School and continues to help struggling students succeed academically and socially. Her positive attitude to overcoming the domestic and social challenges associated with her disability have continued to inspires others. Fran contracted polio at an early age and has been wheelchair-bound for most of her life but as you have heard, this has not held her back at all. People may know the story of Dolly Stainer, well it was Fran, working with Cliff Judge who put that story together.
One more community service award was made to Ms Claire Poyser. Claire was former school captain of BoroondaraPrimary School and Editor of Camberwell Girls Grammar school magazine in 2009. She is an active Netball player as well as a coach & umpire for the Boroondara Netball Association. Her volunteer roles have included assisting with the Foundation Boroondara Christmas Lunch as a performer and waitress, working with the Australian Children's' Trust as a co-ordinator for the Marysville Visitors' Centre following the Black Saturday bushfires, participating on the Red Cross Youth Advisory Council and attending the UN Youth Conference as a representative for China. She is currently completing the program to achieve her gold Duke of Edinburgh Award after achieving both bronze and silver levels. And during all this, she finds time to work as an after-school care assistant.
After the ceremony, I met many people and also caught up with Mr Graham Watt, Liberal Candidate for the seat of Burwood, Graham together with his wife and young family live in Ashburton, and it will be terrific for Ashburton to have an MP that lives, not only in the electorate, but right with them, in Ashburton. It will be the first time for approximately a decade that Burwood will have a resident MP.
All in all a rather inspiring day.
Phillip Healey