Wednesday, 5 February 2025

Australia Day

Jess WILSON (Kew) (09:58): It was a privilege to join over 140 new citizens from 37 countries at the Boroondara citizenship ceremony on Australia Day. For all of us the day offered a chance to reflect on, respect and celebrate the idea of Australia – a land of opportunity, freedom and a fair go. Our country is built off the back of our ancient heritage, our rich Indigenous culture, our enterprising spirit and commitment to hard work, our vibrant multiculturalism, our sense of service and sacrifice, our appreciation of difference and, perhaps most uniquely, the idea of Aussie mateship. Together with our new citizens, we were proud to celebrate the greatest country on earth as we joined together to write the next chapter of the Australian story.

Huge congratulations to a number of Australia Day award recipients. Reverend Natalie Dixon-Monu from Boroondara Community Outreach was awarded Boroondara Citizen of the Year for her incredible work in supporting the most vulnerable in our community. Special commendations go to Jane Stewart from It’s the Little Things Community and Nora Ley and Val Cunniffe from Canterbury Rotary’s FORaMEAL emergency food relief program and to Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann from the ARK Centre for his contribution to the Jewish community.

Big congratulations to Australia Day honours and award recipients who reside in the electorate of Kew: Professor Richard Strugnell AO, Professor Alun Jackson AM, Mr Patrick Boland OAM, Mr Brian Johnstone OAM and of course Kew local Neale Daniher AO for his award of Australian of the Year for his incredible work in fighting MND.