PATRIOTIC: David Richards OAM and Walter Lourie prepare for Eaglehawk’s festivities. Picture: JODIE DONNELLAN
EAGLEHAWK Australia Day chairman Walter Lourie says Australia Day is a chance for residents in the region to reflect on their history.
Mr Lourie, a member of the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk, said he and his forebears had lived in the region for almost 150 years.
“I really believe we live in the lucky country,” he said.
“I have been a farmer nearly all of my life and I think Australia Day is a chance for people to think about what it means to be Australian.”
In honour of Australia Day, Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park will today host a free breakfast.
Mr Lourie encouraged the community to attend the Borough’s Australia Day festivities.
He said the park would be the perfect place to begin Australia Day. The official ceremony will begin at 9.30am when City of Greater Bendigo mayor Lisa Ruffell will welcome guests.
Councillor Peter Cox will also introduce Eaglehawk’s Australia Day ambassador Christine Unsworth.
Ms Unsworth was the former director of the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
Through her role with the Good Friday Appeal, Ms Unsworth oversaw community donations of
$160 million to the hospital over the past 16 years.
As part of the Eaglehawk Australia Day traditions, the Eaglehawk Citizen of the Year will also be announced.
The Eaglehawk Citizens Brass Band, singer Alana Conway and bush poet Geoffrey Graham will entertain.