All invited as a part of the story for Shire of Dardanup Australia Day celebrations in Eaton

An estimated 800 people showed up at the Australia Day celebrations in Eaton with an inclusive message from the Dardanup shire that “‘We’re all part of the story”’.

Councillor Tyrrell Gardiner welcomed the crowd at the Eaton event and thanked organisers, sponsors and the Eaton Lions Club volunteers for organising the event together with the Shire.

Celebrations were also held in Dardanup and Burekup areas of the shire at separate events.

At Eaton, Cr Gardiner’s message was one of unity and celebration with acknowledgement of Indigenous people and the many different stories of those from diverse backgrounds that form our community.

Citizenship award winners were presented with certificates and congratulated along with others who were officially recognised as new citizens to the country and residents of the shire.

Jodie Hanns MLA and Dardanup Councillor Stacey Gillespie presented the community citizen of the year award to Robert Doherty (Wellington Mills) and fellow nominee for the award Daniel Fry (Burekup) was also recognised.

The youth citizen of the year award nominees Chelsey North (Burekup), Shelby Gray (Burekup) and winner Kiara Roworth (Eaton) were also announced.

The senior citizen of the year award went to Bethany retirement community resident Josephine Holland (Eaton).

The active citizenship of the year award went to Dardanup and Districts Residents Association.

Cr Gardiner officially hosted the conferral of citizenship on some new Australians.

New citizen Claudette Elliot who arrived from South Africa with her family five years ago said she felt “excited and emotional all at the same time, and happy to be a new citizen”.

Other milestones were celebrated such as family birthdays and the long journeys of newer arrivals who underwent the process of becoming an Australian citizen.

Attendees said the ceremonies, community attendance and entertainment were beautifully organised and the day ran smoothly.

“We had a great day. Its a chance for our community to come together and have a common function and recognise those Citizen Awards winners and the new citizens as well,” Cr Gardiner said