AUSTRALIA DAY 2016 IN ESK

On January 26th, following a substantial and scrumptious breakfast enjoyed by the many who came to celebrate this Australia Day tradition in Esk, the Somerset Civic Centre, which was decorated to reflect even more of the Aussie flavours,  began to fill for the 2016 Awards Presentation and Citizenship Ceremony.  Following introductions by Graham Snow, aka "Snowy" the eloquent emcee du jour, and welcoming words by Mayor Graeme Lehmann, Australia Day Ambassadors, Marie Yokoyama and Emi Kamada gave their address.  These two, of Japanese heritage and winners of TVs "Hotplate" in 2015, are now successful restaurateurs who spoke of Australia's diversity and its acceptance of differences making Australia the best darn country in the World.

So many worthy Nominees from their various fields of high achievement then lined up for the Australia Day Awards presentations.  The Esk Community Choir were honoured to receive an Art and Cultural Award  nomination for  their significant contributions and achievements in providing music and a music  culture to the Community, three performances of 'Excerpts from Les Misérables' being the highlights alluded to.  However this year, the award in this division went to the Somerset Art Awards, 2015 for the creation of their Art Centre and a showcase of exhibits from over 100 contributors at the Somerset Civic Centre: A well deserved reward for this wonderful effort.

The Citizenship Ceremony which followed was a very poignant moment for the 21 new Australians who now call the Somerset Region "home" and we were all proud to sing, as one, the Australian National Anthem.

Whilst to win one of these awards can certainly be uplifting and a public acknowledgement of some mighty achievements, 'tis a pity there is not a category for The Luckiest and Happiest Choir in the World...There'd be no contest! 

Australia Day Awards in Esk: Nominees for the Sports Award. The winner
Meg Essex is currently on a Basketball scholarship in the USA.

Choir members - Margaret Philp, Gail Webster, Di Chaplin & Susan Walker.