City puts on a great day

GREATER Dandenong mayor Youhorn Chea has invited all residents to join him in Australia Day celebrations across the city on Friday, 26 January.
With more than 50 per cent of the city’s population born overseas, Cr Chea said Australia Day provided an ideal backdrop for strengthening ties among Greater Dandenong’s diverse cultural mix.
“Greater Dandenong is known to be one of the most culturally diverse municipalities in Victoria and represents a cross-section of the community on many fronts,” Cr Chea said.
“Australia Day is a time to celebrate this diversity and foster harmony between the city’s many communities.”
Australia Day activities kick off at Bunnings in Sandown at 8.30am with a free breakfast and children’s activities, followed at 10.30am by a citizenship ceremony and Australia Day awards at the Drum Theatre, corner Foster and Lonsdale streets.
Free activities will run throughout the day at Noble Park RSL.
One of the event’s highlights begins at midday with a special Australia Day concert and free sausage sizzle in Dandenong Park, Pultney Street.
Star attractions include the toe-tapping Australian bush band Shenanigans, and the 13-piece Latin American band Cacique.
The RAAF’s aerial acrobats, the Roulettes, will take to the skies above Greater Dandenong, while on the ground radio’s Mix 101.1 DJ Stick Mareebo will entertain crowds with Australia Day ambassador Jane Clifton.
Clifton, an actor and singer, is probably best known for the role of Margo in the television show, Prisoner, and the hit stage show, Mum’s the Word.
She has also fronted a number of jazz combos since 1979, and rock bands, including Stiletto.
Cr Chea encouraged all of the city’s residents to come out and enjoy what Greater Dandenong had to offer.
“We are very excited to offer such a wide variety of quality entertainment to mark what is a special day in the Australian psyche,” he said.