Time to celebrate Australia Day

While Australia Day means different things to different people, it is a day that welcomes everyone to reflect on their Australian experience – their past, present and future.

Yarrawonga and District residents and visitors will be able to begin their Australia Day celebrations by joining in with the activities at Kennedy Park from 7.15am.

The 2025 Yarrawonga guest speaker will be Victorian-based Leader of the Nationals in the Senate Bridget McKenzie.

Born and raised in rural Victoria and now living in Wodonga, Senator McKenzie was encouraged to be proud and passionate about regional Australia with the traditional rural influences of small business, agriculture, and community.

A staunch believer that strong regional economies and secure regional communities are critical to the future prosperity of Australia, she recognises the importance of jobs, education, a skilled workforce, and self-sufficiency and fiercely advocates for these beliefs on the behalf of regional Australians in her role as Senator.

Senator McKenzie was elected to the Senate of Victoria in 2010 and was re-elected in 2016, and 2022 respectively.

Senator McKenzie had the honour of serving as Deputy Leader of the Nationals (2017) and was appointed Australia’s first female Agriculture Minister (2019).

It was during this time she introduced key policies such as the dairy code, as well as boosted biosecurity measures to help protect Australia’s primary industries.

Senator McKenzie is currently serving as the Shadow Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, and is continuing her role as Leader of the Nationals in the Senate which she was appointed to in 2019, and the first woman to hold this position.

As a Senator, Bridget has chaired several committees including the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade committee as well as the committee for Joint Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade committee.

In 2023 she chaired the Select Committee on Commonwealth Bilateral Air Service Agreements.

As Minister for Rural Health (2017), Bridget drove the establishment of the Murray Darling Medical School to increase the number of GP’s practicing in rural areas.

During the 2019-20 bushfires, she advocated for the provision of emergency support and recovery projects to assist affected communities to recover.

Among her other achievements, Bridget fought to achieve landmark legislation for cooperatives, including support for Australia Post to ensure its focus on rural and regional Australia and equitable local content in regional broadcasting.

Since becoming Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Bridget has been pursuing the government to quit cutting, cancelling, and delaying critical infrastructure projects, regional infrastructure programs across the country, and working to ensure a safe and competitive aviation industry for all Australians.

Please bring along chairs if you have any, as only a limited number of chairs will be available on site.

Yarrawonga’s Australia Day awards ceremony program

> 7am – 8.45am Entertainment by Ray Macartney. Ray will be singing popular songs with an Aussie theme.

> 7.15am – 8.30am Free cooked breakfast provided by the Rotary Club of Yarrawonga Mulwala.

> 8.45am Flag raising ceremony, national anthem and acknowledgement of Country by Moira Shire Council Chief Administrator Dr Graeme Emonson PSM.

> 8.50am Welcome by Rotary Club of Yarrawonga Mulwala President Belinda Pendergast.

> 9am Guest speaker Senator Bridget McKenzie.

> 9.15am Introduction of the award nominees and presentation of Australia Day awards.

> 9.25am Moira Shire Council Chief Administrator Dr Graeme Emonson PSM address.

Tungamah/St James to celebrate

The townships of Tungamah and St James will once again hold their Australia Day celebrations from 8am on January 26, with a traditional free Lions Club breakfast, alongside some entertainment at the Lions Park on Boyd Street.

Presentations will follow the breakfast, and there is no doubt that there will be keen interest in the morning, with nominees for citizen of the year. There will then be the organisation of the year, plus the event of the year.

Please bring your own seating as it will be all outdoors.

There will be limited seating available.

Federation to honour heroes, enjoy bush tucker at Howlong!

Go along and celebrate Australia Day at the Federation Council’s Day Awards Ceremony at Lowe Square in Howlong this Sunday, January 26.

The ceremony will commence at 10am, and will include the Australia Day Ambassador David Bitton address, announcement of the Federation Council Citizen of the Year Award, Young Citizen of the Year Award, Local Hero Awards for Community Group, Sports and Individual, as well as recognition of the Student Achiever Award recipients.

Federation Council Mayor Cheryl Cook said there are 18 remarkable individual and group nominees for the 2025 Australia Day Awards who exemplify outstanding community service, leadership, and dedication to positively impacting in their local area.

“Council is very much looking forward to hosting this year’s celebration in Howlong,” she said.

“We are encouraging all residents to come together and celebrate the incredible nominees who contribute to making Federation Council a great place to live, work and visit.”

Live entertainment from the Swag ‘n’ Billy Bush Band and a complimentary lunch infused with bush tucker flavours will follow the ceremony.

David Bitton's story began on Anzac Day in 1991, when he arrived in Australia from France with just two suitcases and $1,000 to his name.

Seeking opportunity and adventure, he found a country that welcomed him with open arms and a deep-rooted spirit of “fair go.”

His culinary journey started in some of Australia’s most prestigious establishments, including the Ritz Carlton, Hayman Island, and Windsor Hotel, eventually becoming Head Chef at the Sheraton on the Park.

Along the way, he had the privilege of cooking for royalty, premiers, and international icons such as Janet Jackson, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Sir Roger Moore.

Most significantly, it was during this time that he met his wife and business partner, Sohani, who has been by his side for over 34 years.

Mulwala resident Peter Ornsby has been nominated for the Local Hero Award – Individual award.

Peter is a dedicated and influential volunteer in the Mulwala and Yarrawonga communities. As the Vice President of the Yarrawonga Lions Club, he actively participates in fundraising efforts and is a familiar face at the K-hub BBQ on weekends.

Recognised with the Chris August Award for his outstanding contributions, Peter also volunteers at the Mulwala Football Netball Club, where he has volunteered at the entrance gates for 20 years, and at Meals on Wheels, providing vital support to elderly residents.

He plays a leading role at Foodshare, managing daily operations to assist families in need and and engages with young families as a beloved volunteer at Tunzafun.

His recent involvement with Friends in Common—an organization he turned to during his own battle with cancer—reflects his dedication to giving back and supporting fellow cancer patients. Peter’s collaborative spirit encourages local volunteerism, making him a positive role model and an inspiration to many in the community.

Go along and celebrate Australia Day at the Federation Council’s Day Awards Ceremony at Lowe Square in Howlong this Sunday, January 26.