Alyssa Walker, The Buloke Times
Australia Day, now more than ever, means many different things to many different people.
But Australia wouldn’t even be Australia without the diversity and medley of souls at its heart, and each one is just as worth honouring as the other.
For more on this matter, see the editorial on page 2 of today’s [Buloke Times], but for now, this is Donald’s way of recognising Australia Day – and its citizens, too, wish to try something new.
In an effort to bring people together to live for what makes us who we are, alongside the usual raising of the flag at the Memorial Park in the morning, a whole-town backyard cricket match is set to be played on the grass at the Park, too.
Early start
Starting at 10 a.m. and running until just before the 11 a.m. ceremony, it’ll be a match of all ages and skills, kids versus parents, a game that can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone. Keeping in the lighthearted spirit of the game, no kind of registration is required or anything – just turn up and play! Though for any inquiries, Danny Forrest can be contacted at 0400 027 477.
And once people are all tuckered out from the fun, there will be the usual Lions Club barbecue to fuel everyone’s spirits once again (alongside the SA Coffee & Co coffee van, which some folks certainly might need as a pick-me-up for the earlier morning!).
With everyone suitably satiated and coffeed up, local star photographer, Jodie Nash, will have the cameras pointed at her for a change as she will take to the stage as guest speaker. Any and all attendees are also reminded to bring along their own chairs for the event. The park doesn’t exactly have natural seats built into the grass, after all!
Alongside the award presentations, people are also invited to dress for the occasion.
So, in national dress, come sporting the outfit that makes you you, whether your heartfelt attire be cricket pads or saris, shorts and thongs or barong tagalog, come celebrate togetherness and connection with other Australians.
And, for what Donald wishes to accomplish, that’s really what Australia Day is all about.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 23 January 2024.
