Droves turn out for Australia Day

By Lia Bichel and Bridget Brady
FAMILIES turned out in droves to celebrate Australia Day across Casey yesterday.
Celebrations were carried out at Berwick, Hampton Park, Tooradin, Cranbourne and Doveton.
Hundreds of people turned up to celebrate at the Pioneers Park in Berwick, hosted by the Rotary Club of Berwick. Among those who attended were Austrian exchange students Klara Kimml, 15, and Valentin Ehrengruber, 16. They have been in Australia for six months and will stay for six more. Klara said she enjoyed the Australian lifestyle.
“I like the weather here and the landscape,” she said.
Cranbourne resident Dean Willet, originally from England, also attended the event with his wife, Louise, and children Nathan and Sian. The family became Australian citizens three years ago and said they were proud to call Australia home.
“The weather here is great and it’s such a laidback lifestyle,” he said.
“There’s no stress.”
At the Day of Nations celebrations in Hampton Park, Holt MP Anthony Byrne presented some of the 2011 Holt Australia Day Awards to outstanding individuals and local groups for their contribution to the community.
“I congratulate all those receiving a Holt Australia Day Award for their exemplary community spirit, generous contributions and endless hours of volunteer work making our community a better and safer place to live,” Mr Byrne said.
One of the groups to receive an honour was the Cranbourne and Hampton Park Greek Senior Citizens Club.
John Barbaressos from the club has lived in the City of Casey for 40 years. He was born in Egypt and said he was lucky to live in Australia.
“I feel excited, I feel Australian,” he said.