It began positively enough. Although there were some small outbreaks of COVID-19 clusters, it generally seems we’ve got things under control. Lessons learned. It’s also pleasing to not hear the blame game, and see finger pointing from politicians regarding the ways each state has handled their particular set of circumstances. Politics changed in the US (finally), and even though the COVID situation overseas is still dire, there was an air of relief that maybe common sense would prevail and we would see numbers starting to fall. the came the Cherry Gardens fire, and we were all worried about a repeat of 2019. Again, lessons learned in previous events have been amazingly helpful and the CFS was able to prevail before much more was lost. Sadly not in Perth. My heart goes out to those affected, and we all wish them the best at this horrible time.
The Community Association held the annual Australia Day Breakfast where we acknowledge the traditional owners of our land, and thank those people of the district who have stepped up over the past year.This year the Citizen of the Year is Dave Mac, the Young Citizen of the Year is Matt Kazla, and the Event of the Year is the Spring Garden Fling. All worthy recipients, and we have all appreciated their efforts.
As to Australia Day, I think many of us are waiting for the day when the date is acknowledged as being inappropriate for a large number of our indigenous population, and is changed to sometime more acceptable. We will be happy to serve breakfast any day!
In the meantime, a big shout out and thank you once again to the wonderful volunteers who help every year - and some have done for 30 years. Thank you!
Pictured above – our wonderful volunteers – from left to right: Don Barrett, Bill Bartsch, Paula Bartsch, Kath Fisher, Les Fisher, Margaret Seager, Heather Reekes-Parsons, Pete Stephens, Meg Stephens, Virginia Carnell, Margy Wilson and John Bowd. (Absent Bill & Barb Tapscott, Merry Schaeffer & Sue Barrett)