An article from Bryan Goodwin, RC Altona City
On 26 January, Altona City Rotary held its 4th Australia Day Celebration at the Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows. Supported by a $15,000 Grant from the National Australia Council, the event was the most successful yet.Highlights in keeping with the Australia Day theme of ‘Reflect, Respect, and Celebrate’ included:
- VIP visitors including Cabinet Minister Melissa Horne, Hobsons Bay Mayor, Cr Diana Grima and Rotary Governor Peter Shepheard, who also worked on the Rotary Stall.
- Live music by five diverse local groups, including Paul Kelly on Didgeridoo, Rotarian Danny Civitico’s Bush Band and the Rockets, the Inklings and the Ukulele Dolls.
- Entertainment for Children such as face painting, balloon twisting, and “The Music Playground,” who encouraged children in the shopping centre to play Xylophones to the tune of “Wombat on a Surfboard.”
- More than 400 Refreshment Vouchers for redemption at 2 Cafes and a Bakery.
- Giveaways comprised of 500 high quality shopping bags, each containing an aluminium drink bottle and a spectacle wipe with indigenous artwork. The Hobsons Bay Council also donated over 250 native seedlings towards the expansion of the local green canopy.
- Generous donations from the community for Bush fire relief.
The feedback received was that the event gave a very positive image of Rotary in the community.
The Music Playground: Rotaran Danny and the Rockets (left) and children playing xylophones (right)
Giveaway drink bottles and spectacle wipes in Indigenous artwork (left); DG Peter at work with President Lenore Thornton (centre)
and Altona City Rotarians with MLA Hon Melissa Horne with a giveaway bag (right)
and Altona City Rotarians with MLA Hon Melissa Horne with a giveaway bag (right)