Hawke Enjoys Mateship Display in Australia Day Celebrations

 Friday, 27 January 2012

The Hills was awash with Aussie Pride as Australia Day celebrations took place all around the local area last week.

Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP, attended a number of Australia Day celebrations and was heartened by the levels of national pride that were on display throughout the day.

“Australia Day is a fantastic day to celebrate who we are as a nation and to reflect on how far we have come,” Mr Hawke said.

 “We are fortunate to live in a nation with opportunities for all. It is inspirational to see those who have been Australian Citizens for greater than fifty years joining together with those who have been Australian’s for less than one year get together and share the Aussie virtues of hard work and mateship.”

Mr Hawke began the day by attending a ceremony hosted by Castle Hill RSL Club at Castlebrook Memorial Park to pay tribute to former servicemen and women by placing Australian flags at their gravesites.

The Castle Hill Flag Raising Ceremony was held inside Castle Towers. The Australia Day Ambassador for the Hills, Dr Paul Brock AM, gave an inspiring speech which well received by the Hills community.

The Hills was very well represented on the Australia Day Honours List which Mr Hawke believes is fitting due to the number of hardworking committed Australians that make up our local community.

“The Australia Day Honours list is an opportunity for the community to say thank you to those who have gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of others,” Mr Hawke said. “Congratulations to those who were honoured by the Hills Shire Council Australia Day Awards and the Australia Day Honours List.”

The list of Mitchell residents on the Honours list is as follows.

Ms Inaam Tabbaa AM

Clr Raymond Harty OAM

Mr Barry Moynahan OAM

Mr Ronald Wright OAM