A lone bagpiper playing Australian songs as army cadets carried in the Australian flag signalled the start of the Australia Day ceremony at Tatura’s Victory Hall.
The hall was packed, with extra chairs needing to be brought out to seat all of the 160-strong crowd that attended to see who would receive Tatura’s top accolades in this year’s Australia Day awards.
The mood was already buoyant before the ceremony started, with an egg and bacon sandwich breakfast put on by the Tatura Lions Club, satisfying the hordes before the official part of the day began.
A solo performance by singer Juliana DeQuilettes of I Still Call Australia Home and I m Australian were among the highlights of the ceremony.
The Tatura Citizen of the Year award went to John ‘Jack’ Lowe who has tirelessly contributed to many different areas of the community over the years.
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Packed: A crowd of about 160 people attended the Tatura Australia Day ceremony. Photo by Holly DanielImage 2 of 11
Yum: Tatura's Augie Walls, 3, and Roey Walls, enjoyed a bacon and egg sandwich. Photo by Holly DanielImage 3 of 11
Family: Tatura Senior Citizen of the Year Thelma Wood and her sister Marie Martin. Photo by Holly DanielImage 4 of 11
Tasty: Byrneside's Isabelle Wood, 7, tucks into a lamington after watching her grandmother Thelma Wood receive an award. Photo by Holly DanielImage 5 of 11
All smiles: State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell congratulates Tatura Senior Citizen of the Year Thelma Wood. Photo by Holly DanielImage 6 of 11
Voice: SingerJuliana DeQuilettes performed two songs beautifully. Photo by Holly DanielImage 7 of 11
Family: Tatura Senior Citizen of the Year Thelma Wood and her sister Marie Martin. Photo by Holly DanielImage 8 of 11
Organisers: Tatura Australia Day Committee secretary Rod Schubert and president Bill Milner at the Australia Day awards. Photo by Holly DanielImage 9 of 11
Volunteers: Tatura Lions Club members Helen Hoskin, Malcolm Campbell, John Mapson andDavid 'Taffy' Moreton were cooking up a storm on Australia Day at Tatura. Photo by Holly DanielImage 10 of 11
Congratulations: State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell presents the Citizen of the Year award to John 'Jack' Lowe. Photo by Holly DanielImage 11 of 11
Congratulations: City of Greater Shepparton councillor Dinny Adem presents the Greater Shepparton Sportsperson of the Year award to Elsie Boyer. Photo by Holly DanielAmong those organisations to receive his time are the Moyola Aged Care Committee which he has been involved with for more than 40 years.
He was also involved in Tatura Milk Industries as a director for more than 17 years.
Mr Lowe is a current supporter of the Tatura Football Netball Club, and is involved in Shepparton Probus and Tatura Apex clubs.
Byrneside’s Thelma Wood won the senior citizen of the year award, for her work with both the Byrneside and Tatura communities.
The Byrneside Hall Committee has greatly benefited from her volunteer work over the years, with Ms Wood helping with milestone celebrations, writing its history and negotiating grants.
She also organised the Byrneside annual Christmas celebration and has been a supporter and contributor to many other groups including Byrneside’s tennis club, primary school and community cancer fundraising committee.
She has also been a member of Rodney CWA, Tatura Rotary Club, and the Anglican church.
The sportsperson of the year award was won by Elsie Boyer, who also took home the Greater Shepparton accolade for the same award.
In true country town Australia Day tradition, the ceremony ended with a morning tea of lamingtons and sandwiches.