AUSTRALIA Day in Stawell was celebrated in style, with a myriad of activities including a pool party and the official Australia Day ceremony at Cato Park.
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More than a shade of green and gold lit up the evening sky as the welcome return of fireworks put a close to the official proceedings.
Celebrations kicked off with the Youth Action Council's pool party at the Stawell Leisure Complex, it was followed by the official ceremony which featured live music and the presentation of awards.
Several Stawell people were honoured during yesterday's event at Cato Park, Northern Grampians Shire Mayor, Cr Murray Emerson congratulated each of the award winning recipients.
"As usual, our Australia Day events provided us with a fantastic opportunity to honour those wonderful people who volunteer their time to help make our shire a great place to live," he said.
"We are extremely fortunate to have such motivated and passionate residents living in in our townships."
Tireless community worker Len Hunter was announced as Stawell's Citizen of the Year, Kerrie Skene received the Stawell Local Hero Award and Nicholas Pridan Young Citizen of the Year.
"These people do what they do without seeking any accolades, so it's great to see them receive some well-deserved recognition," Cr Emerson said.
"On behalf of council, I would like to congratulate all of this year's award winners and thank everyone who celebrated Australia Day with council at events throughout the shire."
Guest speaker at yesterday evening's official ceremony, ambassador racing industry personality Tony Cavanagh told the gathering it was a time for people to celebrate what's great.
"How wonderful it is to see so many people celebrating Australia Day together, especially given the annual summer challenge that people from this Shire and neighbouring shires face as they battle ferocious bush fires, and the ensuing hardship and devastation that they bring," he said.
"Let us all congratulate the amazing efforts of the CFA firefighters and volunteers who are working tirelessly to protect our communities."
Mr Cavanagh visited Stawell last month to meet the Mayor, Cr Murray Emerson and to gather a greater insight into life in Stawell via farming, business, tourism, sport and entertainment.
He said he now looks forward to many future visits to the region after his son relocated to Halls Gap.
"It's a great honour for me to be here and I'm delighted to be able to share Australia Day celebrations with my son Daniel who last year moved to live in Halls Gap and work at Stawell Secondary College," he said.
"How lucky are we to live in the greatest state, in the greatest country in the world?"
Mr Cavanagh was also a guest at Sunday's Great Western race meeting and said while celebrating the occasion it was important for people to remember all of those not as fortunate as themselves.
"One of the special attributes of our national day is that we can all celebrate Australia and being Australian by doing the things we like best," he said.
"There's no one way to enjoy being Australian - we live in a democracy where having fun is a good thing.
"Some of us will be working in local businesses, hospitals and in the emergency services. Others will be enjoying the company of family, friends and colleagues.
"Let's remember those in the defence forces who will celebrate Australia Day in a distant country."
Mr Cavanagh also paid tribute to local racing identities including Stawell trainers Terry and Katrina O'Sullivan.
"Terry and now Katrina O'Sullivan have been at the forefront of the local training ranks with great success at the highest metropolitan level as well as provincially for such a long while now," he said.
"Victoria's current leading Trainer Darren Weir, spent many of the formative years of his career at Stawell."
Mr Cavanagh has urged people to come together and reflect on what unites them in the year ahead.
"Let us think about our diverse community with so many cultures and strengths. We all benefit from these," he said.
"Let us think about the many new arrivals who will become citizens. What a great opportunity to welcome them.
"Let us think of all the things that we have got, and not what we haven't. At all times, let our glass be half full and not half empty.
"We have a proud history and an even greater future ahead of us."