Touch of national magic tops the day

By Melissa Grant
AUSTRALIA DAY celebrations in Pakenham were well attended this year with hundreds flocking to the Cardinia Cultural Centre on Saturday.
Residents sung the national anthem and joined in a rendition of I am Australian before the shire’s Australia Day honours were presented.
Hills residents scooped this year’s awards with Cockatoo’s Dot Griffin taking out the Citizen of the Year award, while Gembrook’s Hanna Salzwedel was named Senior Citizen of the Year and Clematis resident Adam Ballis the Young Citizen of the Year.
The three award winners were selected by an independent panel from a field of 24 hard-working citizens.
The Bunyip and District Agricultural Show received the Community Event of the Year award and the Lang Lang CERT team, a rural emergency service, was given the gong for Community Achievement of the Year.
The crowd was treated to an uplifting speech from Australian Day Ambassador Claude Lombard, managing director of Lombards the Paper People after the presentations.
Mr Lombard talked about his business achievements, emphasising that true success doesn’t come quickly.
Dozens of people then undertook an oath to officially become Australian citizens as part of a special ceremony.
Children enjoyed fun activities on the day including free face painting and performances by Max the Magician, while those brave enough got up and close with furry creatures, including geese and pigs, in an animal pen.
There was also a performance by the Cardinia Civic Concert Band and a Landcare display with free native plant giveaways as part of the festivities.