Written by Mendy Urie
As an elected representative of local government, I am invited every year to attend one of the community-organised Australia Day events around our Shire. Usually it is a community breakfast followed by an official program of a flag-raising ceremony, some music, some speeches and a brief award ceremony where local people are recognised for their exceptional achievements and
contributions.
Often the invited Councillor is asked to speak at the ceremony and I have come to really appreciate and love this opportunity when it arises. It’s a great opportunity to tune in to all the opinion pieces in the media and to do my own reflecting on our Australian Culture.
This year I was asked to speak at the Lakes Entrance ceremony. The organising local Lions Club had catered for approximately 500 cooked breakfasts from 8am onwards and about 50 people stayed on for the more formal part of the morning.
