Published on Thursday, 29 January 2015 at 12:00:00 AM
Australia Day festivities were in full swing across the Shire of Ashburton as each of the four towns celebrated on January 26.
Free barbecues, fun activities and award ceremonies were hosted in each town, thanks largely to the ongoing support of Rio Tinto.
Community groups, families and friends competed in a range of traditional Australia Day games and applauded the winners of the Premier’s Active Citizenship Awards.
Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Pannawonica hosted Australia Day parties at the local pool with a free barbecue breakfast, water games, inflatable thong races and the highly contested ‘homemade regatta’.
Onslow residents celebrated at the Onslow Sports Club with live entertainment, evening barbecue and the popular sack races and tug ‘o’ war, with plenty to keep the kids amused including face painting, slippery slide and bouncy castle.
Shire President Kerry White says each year it’s wonderful to see the Australian spirit of camaraderie and mateship clearly evident within each of our towns.
“Friendship and community kinship are great Australian characteristics and we especially rely on these when living within a remote town,” said Cr White. “To see residents of all ages come together to have fun, participate and enjoy the celebrations highlights the strength of our own local spirit.”
Rio Tinto General Manager Paraburdoo Operations Scott Wilkinson said the Australia Day celebrations were a wonderful way to connect and recognise the hard work of community members.
“Rio Tinto is proud to be a long-term supporter of the Shire of Ashburton Australia Day festivities which not only celebrate and acknowledge the outstanding contributions of local residents to the communities of Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Pannawonica, but provide a great opportunity for local families to enjoy a fun day out,” Mr Wilkinson said.
The Australia Day celebrations in each town rely on the generous support given by local businesses and community groups and the Shire of Ashburton would like to express our thanks to everyone involved that help make these events possible.
A big part of the Australia Day celebrations is the announcement of the Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Awards which focus on community contribution and participation rather than personal achievement.
The award categories include:
- Outstanding community contribution for by a local citizen
- Outstanding community contribution by a local citizen under 25 years of age
- Outstanding community contribution by a local group or community event.
The winners of the Shire of Ashburton’s 2015 Active Citizenship Awards are as follows:
Tom Price
- Active Citizen – Nicole Kelly
- Under 25 – Kyle Bravington
- Group – Tom Price Cadets
Paraburdoo
- Active Citizen – Deanne Cowland
- Under 25 – Aaliyah Peta
- Group – Para Riders
Pannawonica
- Active Citizen – Alison West
- Under 25 – Emily Gorry
- Group – Pannawonica Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Onslow
- Active Citizen – Melissa Ayres
- Under 25 – Kiara Parker
- Group – Onslow P&C
Congratulations to all winners and nominees on their tireless efforts within our Shire and local communities.
Back to All News