Australia Day in Wollongong
The inaugural Ozzy Doggy Show will hopefully become a permanent feature of the annual celebrations, events and functions co-ordinator Lee Kramer said.
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Paddington the eight-year-old Samoyed from Shellharbour took out the Best Dressed prize for his custom-made life saver suit, equipped with kickboard.
“[This breed] is extremely friendly and laid back, a little bit naughty – bit of a larrikin my doggy and ironically he hates the water,” said his owner Kim Halley.
Pups came dressed in green and gold, one had a Vegemite suit on, while another was dressed as a rainbow fairy while Australian flags – big and small – were a common accessory among the contingent.
Other categories included Best Dressed Owner and Dog Oz Day theme, Most Outrageous or Creative, Best Ozzy Doggy Trick, People’s Choice and Best Ozzy Doggy Under Six Months.
The original idea for the pet show came from last year’s Wollongong Citizen of the Year, Robyn te Velde, who joined this year’s Australia Day committee.
Australia Day flags were also a popular clothing choice for many revellers spanning from North Wollongong Beach down to South Beach.
Carnival rides, fairy floss, free live entertainment were part of the mix of activities organised by council plus an interesting military lesson.
Volunteers from the Illawarra Sunrise Rotary Club marched with the Illawarra Pipe Band from the Old Courthouse to the history Smith’s Hill Fort (also known as the Cliff Road Battery) on Cliff Road before reenacting the firing of the cannons.
The “troops” were dressed in British military uniforms, the uniform at the time the battery was originally built 125 years ago.
A military officer entertained the crowd of hundreds gathered about the history of the long range 80-pound cannons, built to fend off Russians and anyone who would want to invade our coal port.
Wollongong only hosts two cannons currently in the battery with the third – a two-pound Nordenfeld in Newcastle being repaired.
The smaller gun was used as a “spotting gun” which would fire a test shot to show if the cannon operators needed to adjust the machine’s position to hit its target.
The two main guns were built in 1892 the Royal Gun Factory near London and test fired in 1893. They were thankfully never fired against an enemy.
Gun operators never lived in the battery but would instead march each day from the Old Courthouse during its operation between 1893 and 1900.
Australia Day in Shellharbour
The debate over the date of Australia Day was top of mind at Shellharbour’s festivities on Friday, though there was no question of the need to celebrate what it meant to be Australian.
Thousands flocked to the annual Breakfast by the Lake at Reddall Reserve to enjoy a $4 breakfast, thong-throwing competitions, jumping castles, stalls and live music as well as a healthy dose of Aussie spirit.
Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba, Whitlam MP Stephen Jones and Shellharbour MP Anna Watson were among those to address the crowd during the civic ceremony.
“I do have views on the date of Australia Day – but I do think there should be a day that we as a nation celebrate who we are,” Cr Saliba said
“Here in Shellharbour our community is as diverse as the area we live in. We are a community of all ages, cultural and social background yet what makes us different is what binds us together.”
Mr Jones and Ms Watson called for acknowledgement, and further education, of the nation’s indigenous past.
“I don’t think we should be afraid as Australians to have a debate about the things that divide us – and we should have discussions about when we celebrate Australia Day,” Mr Jones said.
“But one thing that’s not up for debate is how we celebrate and what we celebrate. We live in the only place on earth that has been continuously inhabited by one people and culture for 60,000 years.”
During the ceremony, Barrack Heights resident David Williamson was announced as the 2018 Shellharbour Citizen of the Year, and 12-year-old Kiki Cuda as the Young Citizen.
Mr Williamson, aka Scooter Dave, was recognised for his daily efforts to keep the Windang bridge and surrounds clean. Kiki was chosen for her commitment to helping those in need - including making up care packs for the homeless and Aussie soldiers deployed overseas.
‘’We can all make a difference if we try,” Mr Williamson said, while Kiki added: “If I can inspire one person to do the same, and that person can inspire another person – imagine how wonderful the world could be.”
Twin sisters from South Africa, Alison and Michelle Greenwood; and former military man Christopher Rigby, from the UK, were among those to celebrate becoming Australian citizens.
“I love the freedom of Australia, having come from South Africa where personal safety is often an issue,” Michelle said.
Mr Rigby added: “After leaving the military I got offered a job in Australia – I’d never been but I packed my bags and came on a whim five years ago, and I’ve never looked back.’’
Vi Dai Nguyen came to Australia from Vietnam with his family five years ago. Now a nurse assistant at St George Hospital, he’s enjoying the opportunities in Australia. “It’s really awesome to finally become a citizen.”
Meantime many residents make the celebrations by the lake an annual event - such as Warilla couple Nicole and Steven Fitzgerald, who set up a pergola each year on the same spot with their five children.
‘’It’s a great chance to catch up with family and friends, and celebrate Australia Day at the same time,’’ Mrs Fitzgerald said.
Unanderra resident Jennifer Moore also gets along to the Shellharbour event, rain, hail or shine each year - with her daughter Maddison always keen to dress in red, white and blue.
“The atmosphere down here is just wonderful,” Mrs Moore said. “We’ve been coming ever since it started – just to celebrate being an Australian and how lucky we are.”
Australia Day in Kiama
People flocked to Australia Day Breakfasts across the Kiama Municipality on Friday morning.
Coronation Park at Kiama was a hive of activity from 7am onwards.
Kiama Rotary together with Kiama Surf Life Saving Club kept everyone entertained with a jumping castle, kids activities, face painting and live music.
South Werri Reserve at Gerringong was packed with people out to get their bacon and egg roll.
Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club, Gerringong Lions and Gerringong Sunrise Rotary Club united to host a range of fun kid’s activities.
