Celebrating Australia Day
On Australia Day, we woke to perfect weather and spent
the day around BBQs, pools and ‘down the river’, to
celebrate what it is to be Australian.
The day started, for a large group of people, with a hearty
breakfast at the Hay Gaol museum, followed by the
Australia Day Awards ceremony. Sing Australia and Julie
Lawrence entertained, singing anthems and ballads
uniquely Australian.
Nerida Reid, Citizen of the
year - a lifetime of
volunteering
Ted Circuitt, President of
Hay Jockey Club, winners
of the event of the year Hay Races 2013.
Group of the Year - Can
Assist. Kym and Wayne
Wooding thanked the
council for all their help ,
and everyone who has
donated to the
organisation.
As the day warmed up many headed to the river and the
Hay Pool. Others created their own water entertainments
at home and the good old aussie BBQ was fired up.
Above: Acheivement in
Sport - Donna Wade.
Donna has been involved
with hockey, netball and
tennis and now coordinates the St Mary’s
school Healthy eating and
sports program. Donna
was recently awarded the
Riverina Coach of the year
for this program, which
attracts thirty or more
enthusiastic children each
week.
Australia Day Ambassador
Mr Stuart Maunder AM
Leonnie Nisbet was
surprised at being awarded
the Gavin Johnston
Vocational Award for 2014.
Leonnie not only runs her
own business as a
massage therapist, she is
‘strapper’ for the Hay
Magpies and spends a lot
of time with patients
recovering from operations.
“I am surprised and proud,”
said Leonnie in her
acceptance speech, “ I
encourage people to go
beyond the call of duty.”
Teacher, Katie Sherman,
was awarded Young
Person of the Year for her
school and church
activities, involvement in
the Hay Show society and
her success as a netball
and swimming coach. Of
her award, Katie said, “I am
in shock over this.” Katie
has been in Hay since 2010
and says she loves Hay.
Sing Australia sang: ‘G’day G’day’ and ‘From the outback
to the ocean,’ and Julie Lawrence performed a favoured
song ‘ I live on the one tree plain’.
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