Parade of patriots

By Melissa Grant
PATRIOTIC Aussies were out in full force in Pakenham on Monday.
Young and old gathered at the Cardinia Cultural Centre to celebrate the nation’s day of pride.
Cardinia Shire chief executive Garry McQuillan announced the council’s Australia Day awards before locals snapped up snags and enjoyed the fun activities on offer.
Tynong firefighter John Glazzard was named Citizen of the Year for his outstanding contribution to the community. He has been part of Tynong CFA for 30 years and has also been a member of various community groups.
Bunyip’s Elma Drayton was awarded Senior Citizen of the Year after clocking up more than half a century of volunteer work. The 90-year-old is involved in various groups through Bunyip’s Uniting Church and is a leading member of the town’s cancer support group.
Eugene Mackinnon from Maryknoll was given the nod for the Young Citizen of the Year Award. The mature 20-year-old has an impressive resume of community involvement from arts to sports to fighting fires.
The 2009 Community Event of the Year was awarded to the National Youth Week Crew and Vince Bucello of Cranbourne was the winner of the shire’s inaugural Community Service Award.
The day was particularly special for seven migrants from the USA, UK, Canada, Bangladesh and New Zealand who officially became Australians during a citizenship ceremony.
Former Australian Cricketer and leading educationalist Paul Sheehan, the event’s Australia Day ambassador, said every citizen – new or old – should feel privileged to be Australian.
“I think we have many reasons to thank our lucky stars,” he said.
Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Pearson agreed.
“I always feel it is a great honour to be an Australian,” he said.