Poor turnout but it was a good day all the same

By Shaun Inguanzo
A GREATER Dandenong councillor says ethnic groups need to play a bigger role in Australia Day celebrations after one of the worst turnouts ever to the city’s major celebration last weekend.
Springvale North Ward councillor Alan Gordon, who was on the Australia Day panel, blamed community apathy for the large number of empty seats at the Dandenong Park Australia Day celebration on Saturday.
Cr Gordon said there wouldn’t have been any more than 500 people on the day – significantly less than the jam-packed Australia Day celebrations of the past.
“I’ve never seen the crowd so small, it’s a bit disappointing given the amount of time we put into it,” he said.
But it wasn’t just time the council invested into Australia Day celebrations. The budget for this year’s celebrations totalled $40,000.
Cr Gordon said he wished the city’s different ethnic groups would show the same vigour for Australia Day as they do with their own cultural or new year celebrations.
“I think we might need to talk to a few of the ethnic communities and encourage them to come. They’ve come to Australia so, hey, let’s embrace the Australian way, the sausage sizzle and the whole bit.”
Cr Gordon said the council was willing to compromise with ethnic groups to meet strict dietary or cultural requirements.
“In the past we’ve had things like halal sausages to cater for different needs,” he said.
Other celebrations included breakfasts at Springers Leisure Centre in Keysborough, outside Bunnings Sandown, and an afternoon flag raising at Noble Park RSL.