The Moruya & District Australia Day Committee held their annual Australia Day celebrations in Russ Martin Park on Australia Day last week. Sponsored by the Moruya Lions Club supported by the Rotary Club of Moruya, a great morning was had by all who attended. Master of Ceremonies for the morning was Moruya Rotarian Derek Anderson, who is the Chairman of the Australia Day Committee.
The morning started with the Lions/Rotary breakfast and entertainment from Tuross locals LP Duo who provided memories from the past. There was entertainment for the young and young at heart with Rotary horseshoe throwing, best dressed bikes, a pet parade, face painting, and displays from the RSL Sub-branch, Moruya Surf Club, the Moruya Historical Society and Australia Day posters provided by the local Primary schools based on the theme of Australian inventions.
At 10:00 there was an official ceremony with a flag raising conducted by the RSL Sub-branch of Moruya, followed by an Australia Day address from Christine Greig-Adams on the history of Moruya Granite. A descendant from John Gilmore, the Scottish superintendent of the quarry on North Head Drive, Christine spoke of the development of the quarry supplying granite for the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney GPO columns and the Martin Place Cenotaph. Christine then spoke of the subsequent development of Quarry Park in the early 1990’s by the Rotary Club of Moruya to the recent refurbishment of the park with a time line path leading to the John Gilmore Pavilion which houses a photographic display of Moruya Granite.
Mr Anderson then announced that there had been five nominations to recognise service to the local community in the fields of: Marine rescue; local sport, service to Apex, Rotary and St Vincent’s de Paul; long service to teaching at St Mary’s Primary School and many hours of after school activities; establishing and supporting basketball in the Batemans Bay & Moruya area, and volunteering with the Moruya District Hospital Auxiliary.
Above: Christine Smith & Kathleen Smith
This year, there were two recipients of the Moruya & District Australia Day Citizens of the Year for 2017: Christine Smith & Kathleen Smith of the Moruya District Hospital Auxiliary. Kathleen is the Auxiliary’s Secretary and assistant Treasurer, whilst Christine is the Treasurer and assistant Secretary. They were recognised as the driving force behind organising much of the Auxiliary’s activities over many years and for their many hours of volunteering. Typically in a year, the Auxiliary runs four street stalls, four major raffles, an Open Garden day, a book fair, a Trivia night, and weekly charity bingo sessions at the Moruya Bowling Club. The Moruya Hospital supplies the Auxiliary with a prioritised “wish list”, for the comfort and care of patients and the Auxiliary raises funds to meet that list. Over the last three years they have raised over $292,474 worth of equipment, and over the last ten years $1,443,122.
In receiving their awards, a presentation clock and certificate, both Christine & Kathleen thanked the Committee and the local community for their support of the Auxiliary’s activities over many years.
At the conclusion, Mr Anderson thanked all those who has attended and participated in the activities, the Moruya Lions and Rotary Clubs, the Eurobodalla Shire and Harrisons Horse, Pet & Rural for their generous supply of hay bales over many years.
Above: the next generation learn the fun of horseshoe tossing
