Left: The display of about 25 classic and muscle cars were a hit.
By Lilly O’Gorman
IT’S been called the best Australia Day celebration Berwick has seen in seven years.
Wtth about 4000 people enjoying the day’s activities at Pioneers Park on Thursday 26 January, event organisers the Rotary Club of Berwick say it was the biggest in the City of Casey.
Blue skies provided the perfect weather for locals to come out and celebrate Australia Day with free music, displays and entertainment.
Organising committee chairman Barry Erlenwein said it was a very successful day.
“I’d like to thank all of the volunteers, not just from the Rotary Club of Berwick, but also Rotary Club of Casey and Rotary Club of Endeavour Hills,” Mr Erlenwein said.
“I’d also like to thank anybody else that offered their services, including the hot rod car display, the Aussie Bush Band which the kids loved, the Cook Island Dancers, and Berwick Secondary College students who ran the face painting stall.
“All in all it was a great day and I think everybody got a lot of value out of it.”
The City of Casey recognised five outstanding people and two local community events at its Australia Day Awards ceremony on the day.
Therese Howell was named Casey Citizen of the Year for her work raising awareness of the effects of limb loss in children and the impact on families. Therese has provided many local Casey families with direct support and assistance as well as working with Limbs 4 Life.
Casey Young Citizen of the Year went to Thomas Niazmand for his work tutoring and mentoring other students, and Casey Senior Citizen of the Year went to Bette Clydesdale for teaching computer skills and fundraising for several local campaigns.
Casey Sportsperson of the Year went to Juan Carlos Loyola OAM who founded the Doveton Special Soccer School in 1993 and has continued to contribute to the club as the co-ordinator, providing sporting opportunities for people with a disability.
Casey Non-resident of the Year went to Brenda Chessum.
Casey Community Event/Activity of the Year was awarded to Narre Warren North Christmas Carols, and Casey Community Fundraising Event/Activity of the Year was awarded to Casey Cardinia Relay for Life.
