Murchison Australia Day celebrations make a splash

By Grace Carter

Jan 26, 2025

The Murchison swimming pool was flooded with pride and community spirit on Sunday morning as people gathered to celebrate Australia Day.

Over 100 people attended the Murchison swimming pool to celebrate Australia Day. Photo by Grace Carter

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People began to arrive for the festivities from 8am, where everyone was given a raffle ticket with the chance to win a lucky gate prize.

Attendees mingled over complimentary bacon and egg sandwiches, courtesy of the Murchison’s Men’s Shed, and coffee before the official ceremony kicked off at 9am, led by Murchison Australia Day Committee president Tino Catania.

The Murchison Men's Shed giving out bacon and egg sandwiches at the 2025 Australia Day celebrations. Photo by Grace Carter

Natasha and Rachel Puts in the coffee van at Australia Day in Murchison. Photo by Grace Carter

Murchison Australia Day Committee president Tino Catania. Photo by Grace Carter

Everyone stood for the flag raising, singing of the national anthem, and affirmation, led by Murchison Primary School 2024 Dooling Medal winner Aeris Honey.

Then Murchison Primary School 2024 Year 6 students carried the Australian flag, and Alan Roser raised it on behalf of the 2024 Citizen of the Year Judy Revell.

Alan Roser leading Murchison Primary School Year 6 students to raise the Australian flag at the Murchison swimming pool for Australia Day. Photo by Grace Carter

Murchison Primary School’s 2024 leader and junior speaker for the event, Stella Balmer shared what Australia Day meant to her with the crowd.

Goulburn River ward councillor Paul Wickham was among the festivities to present awards for Murchison Primary School’s colouring and writing competitions before guest speaker John Musso shared stories about his time as a pilot with the crowd.

John Musso was the guest speaker at Murchison’s Australia Day celebrations. Photo by Grace Carter

Cr Wickham also presented the Australia Day award winners with their certificates.

Murchison Australia Day Committee member Michelle McCormick accepted the Sports Award on behalf of the 2024 Murchison Football Netball Club.

Debbie Morris, who has been deeply involved in the Murchison community since moving with her family in 1995, accepted the Citizen of the Year award with pride.