Oz Day in true style

By Bridget Cook
MANY local community members celebrated Australia Day last week in true Aussie fashion.
Greater Dandenong celebrations kicked off at 9am with a free barbecue breakfast and children’s activities at Springers Leisure Centre in Cheltenham Road, Keysborough.
Revellers then packed Dandenong Park for much-anticipated Australia Day Concert featuring live music, dancing and a free sausage sizzle.
Visitors to the event were entertained by the Batacuda Band and Blackberry Jam, while children were treated to percussion workshops, kite-making sessions and face-painting.
Free Australian flags were available for attendees to wave proudly while they shared the spirit of the occasion with family, friends and neighbours.
Greater Dandenong’s unsung heroes were recognised during a formal presentation ceremony at the Drum Theatre on the day for the 2011 Australia Day Awards.
Ruth Hartnett was named Citizen of the Year, Kalyan Ky was awarded the Young Achiever of the Year; Raymond Johnston was named Good Neighbour of the Year and Non-Resident of the Year was awarded to Barbara Siddall.