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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Community thanks fire-fighters

 

The Peninsula community turned out in force on Australia Day to thank hundreds of local fire-fighters for their efforts in controlling the recent spate of bushfires throughout New South Wales.

A key part of the Peninsula's Australia Day celebrations, the fire fighters and others from supporting organisations arrived in three convoys and assembled in front of a large crowd waiting for them.

Smiles broke out on their faces when an ovation spontaneously erupted.

Special prayers, an Aboriginal welcome, a flag raising ceremony, the national anthem sung by Hannah Gibbs, lunch and a giant birthday cake also added to the day.

Described as a "back to the community" Australia Day, large crowds throughout the day were treated to non-stop entertainment from a wide variety of musicians and entertainers as well as nearly 40 stalls, most of which were run by community groups.

Performers included The Wheeze and Suck Band, Us Not Them, Go to Bed Jessica, Duncan Chalmers, John Currie, Behind the Veil Belly Dance, Lovetts Dance Academy, Trinity, and Peninsula Dance and Theatre School.

TS Hawkesbury Naval Cadets held water-based activities during the day, including two races.

At 2.30pm, Cr Chris Holstein presented Citizen of the Year Shirley Templeton and Australia Day Award winners Pat and Gae Marsh and Larry Thompson to the large crowd.

Winners of the children's drawing competition held on the day were: Under-5 Marjorie Griffiths; Under-6 Andrew Green; Under-7 Jai Fletcher; Under-8 Michelle Day; Under-9 Rita Kurprewski; Under-10 Toni from Umina; and Over-10s Madeleine Kennedy.

All winners were presented with certificates.

Cec Bucello, February 8