Local Australia Day events - celebrate what makes us proud to be Australian

We live in one of the most safe, fair and free places in the world and we are lucky to do so. Locally, Australia Day commenced on the site of the Old Government Farm of the early British Colony in Sydney at Castle Hill Heritage Park, hosted by Castle Hill Rotary Club. Thank you to the awesome Club volunteers for the perfect start to Australia Day, beginning with the flag raising ceremony and ending with the classic BBQ breakfast enjoyed by a big attendance of keen locals.

It was a pleasure to also attend the Hills Shire Council’s Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony, congratulations to the 129 residents who to the pledge on this significant day the 75th Anniversary of Australian Citizenship.

Australia Day is a day for all Australians to celebrate what is great about our nation. It is a day for all of us to come together as equals and give thanks that we live in the greatest country on earth.

Whether you became an Australian today or the day you were born, it is also a time to reflect on our country’s history. We acknowledge Indigenous Australia and the world’s longest-surviving culture; we are thankful for their stewardship and recognise their 60,000 plus years of history. We should also understand that January 26 can be seen through a different lens by Indigenous Australians. We can and should acknowledge our history and imperfections as we celebrate the things that make us proud to be Australian.

So, I say to all Australians, be proud of what we have achieved and who we are and hope you had a great Australia Day.