High humidity levels persisted across many parts of south east Queensland on January 26th but not even oppressive temperatures were going to be enough to keep the citizens and soon-to- be citizens of the Somerset Region gathering in the cool of the Somerset Civic Centre, Esk on this Australia Day 2026; a day for celebrating those values of resilience, respect, diversity and freedoms which have continued to shape this nation.
The dynamic Brady Schultz, the epitome of his ‘Healthy
Lifestyles Australia’, ushered in the day with a spirited welcome to all the
invited dignitaries including Mayor Jason Wendt, Queensland’s Attorney General
Deb Frecklington and a cast of Councillors from the Somerset Region, with a
special warm welcome to this year’s Australia Day Ambassador, Hani Watson.
Embodying its motto ‘Service in Song’, the Esk Community
Choir laid the groundwork for an Aussie flavoured day with their rendition of Mark
O’Leary’s The Lachlan Tigers (that’s NSW shearers, not Eastern Suburb’s
Footy team!). With Alexis at the piano,
Suzanne and Ruth on flute and Kathleen adding rhythm and colour to the music on
the monkey stick or lagerphone, this Aussie folk song paved the way for the more
formal proceedings.
The seventy-one new Australians, having taken aloud the
Australian Citizenship Pledge were each presented their Citizenship Certificates,
bouquets of Australian Native flowers and from the audience, heartfelt applause
and a strong sense of shared pride. With the Choir leading in a stirring
rendition of the Australian National Anthem, it was on with the show!
Somerset’s Australia Day Ambassador,
Hani Watson, a Queenslander since she was a tot, is a true reflection of what
it means to be Australian. Hani was born
with significant birth defects and now after many years of corrective
surgeries, still suffers multiple medical issues which are progressive and
degenerative. Inspired by her bodybuilder
father, Hani has forged ahead despite her disabilities, and represented
Australia in Commonwealth and Paralympic Games, a powerhouse in the sport of
powerlifting.
With Somerset Council’s Helen at the
mic and a well-versed company of Council staff, Certificates of Recognition
were presented to the many worthy nominees for the Sports, Arts and Culture,
Community Group, Event of the Year, Citizen of the Year Awards, and to the
eventual winners of each category, their medals and certificates. It is with a not -so-small sense of pride
that the Esk Community Choir came up trumps for the Arts and Culture Award in
acknowledgement of their 48 years of artistic contributions to local culture,
civic life and the enrichment of regional events through performances and
collaborations. Adding another level of true-blue flavour to the day, the
choir’s uplifting rendition of Advance Matilda marked the close of the
formal proceedings, inviting all to move on to CWA’s sumptuous morning tea and
the enjoyable activities that awaited.
To Jo Maxwell and all the members of
the Somerset Regional Council whose initiative made this day a wonderful day of
celebration for all, Alexis and the members of the Esk Community Choir give
their sincere thanks.
By: Sue Walker
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| Alexis FitzGeral OAM & Ruth Skippen |
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