1997 Rockdale Citizen of The Year

Two days ago in my Australia Day post I mentioned the local Citizens of The Year. It took me a while to find the photos, but here is my mum, Alison, when she received the honour as Rockdale Citizen of the Year on 26 Jan 1997. I'm so proud of you, Mum.

Below: Kostya Tszyu - Sportsperson of the Year (he moved to the district in 1992, and he shares a birthday with mum - she's 41 years older), Rockdale Town Crier, Young Citizen of the Year - whose name I regret I don't know, June Salter, an actor who was Australia Day Ambassador, and was born in the local area, and Mayor Peter Bryant.

Postscript: Two days ago, a comment was left on my blog in response to my caption "Celebrate diversity: the faces of Australia". The comment was made by a member of a US organisation fighting for gay rights. The commenter said: "With the inclusion of the scouting movement who exclude gay people you are indeed not celebrating diversity but encouraging hatred against fellow Australians who just happen to be gay."

This is NOT the case in Australia, where the Scouting organisation does not have anti-gay rules. If you click here, you can read a transcript of an interview on our national broadcaster, the ABC, where this is made clear. In fact in Australia it is illegal to discriminate against people on the basis of sexual orientation, and the Scouts spokesperson said in no uncertain terms.

I would never want my blog to be seen to be, or indeed be, "encouraging hatred against fellow Australians who just happen to be gay." Indeed, have a look at my very first Daily Photo post from 19 April 2006.

My first collage

Australia Day again. This is what I wanted to do yesterday but didn't know how. Thanks to Denton for pointing me in the Picasa direction :-)

Straya Day, Carss Park on Kogarah Bay

Wandered down to Carss Park in time for the local Straya Day sarah-moanies. Australia Day commemorates the setting up of European settlement in Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788.

Started off well, with the Aboriginal didj player/MC very good. He welcomed us all to Country - the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. Aboriginal dancers saw off any evil and negative thoughts, and a few brave souls got up and joined in corroboree when invited. The local sea scouts hoisted the flag and gave it a salute....and good thing they were there - they formed the core group of corroboree "volunteers".

They then went off in search of the BBQ, and I overheard one of the kids saying "it's gangsta" (that's the latest word for really, really cool, by the way) - whether he meant the dancing, the flag raising or the anticipation of a burnt snag, I know not.

A choir of smiling women sang the national anthem. Then the mayor and other local dig-er-nit-aries got hold of the mike and we became girt by speeches. The mayor made the most of his time and gave the same speech at least 3 times. The usual phalanx of pollies came and went, and the Australia Day Ambassador, a local identity, Dick Caine, a sports and swim coach told us about his days round Cullanulla in Banjo Paterson territory and introduced us to his family of multi-ethnic background - many of the kids he has taught to swim over the years. He was refreshing.

Cherie Burton, the member of state parliament for Kogarah added some laid back appeal, in her sleeveless top and thongs. She welcomed the Koori dancers to country, which was an interesting hands-across-the-sea reversal of fortunes. Poor old Robert McClelland, the local federal member - it was also his 50th b'day - attempting to keep the "dignified" in dignitary, musta been sweltering in his sports jacket and tie. But we did learn that he's best mates with Chris Evans, Minister for Immigration, who he also reckons is a real ugly bruiser.

Kevin Greene, andother state MP during his turn all but apologised for being born here and therefore never having CHOSEN citizenship.

As with all these things, it took about 12 speeches by blokes (and Cherie) to get to the moving bit - the proud new citizens swearing under God, or affirming to no God (sequentially) to be bonza Aussies. It was great seeing their smiling, proud faces. The choir sang some more.

Then they announced the local Citizens of The Year, which is nice in a parish-pump kinda way. Dick Caine also received that honour, which was a surprise to him.

The Queen's only appearance was by portrait, propped up by a nearby tree. She didn't get mentioned, and wasn't really able to be sighted, once the choir and swelling ranks of officialdom blocked her view of proceedings. I reckon sometime when we can agree on how to elect a President, we'll ease into Republicanism. Monarchy's pretty much a dead duck as far as local sarah-moany goes.

After that, on a bright beautiful, sunny 25 degree day, citizens old and new drifted off to the bbqs, camel rides and bouncy castle fun. It really was anything but a white bread affair, which is noice indeed. And the newest Australians all looked might chuffed.

Below: The Queen presided over events from the comfort of the garden, propped up by a tree:
Dance of various animals, including the emu:
Teaching volunteer participants the emu dance:
Corroboree:
The faces of people about to become citizens:

Taking the oath or affirmation:



Concentration:

The faces of Australia: Celebrate diversity!