It was a day of honouring our shire's outstanding citizens, welcoming new ones - and in particular thanking all those who have been working tirelessly to keep us safe.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bega's Australia Day celebration in Littleton Gardens on Sunday morning was attended by a huge crowd, despite earlier misgivings from council on the level of public interest in official services.
Similar large crowds were also at Merimbula's early morning celebration hosted by the local Rotary Club, and at Cobargo's community event at lunch.
In Bega, it was as much an expression of the community's gratitude to volunteer groups such as the Rural Fires Service, SES, VRA and the Australian Defence Forces as it was about celebrating Australia.
Musicians from the Australia Defence Forces rock out on Australia Day
Personnel and assets of the various services ringed the official ceremony, with plenty of well wishers chatting with the multitude of volunteers who were taking a well-deserved but likely, unfortunately, short-lived break from the region's multiple firegrounds.
"Resilience" was the recurring theme through speeches from the morning's special guests, including NSW Police South Coast Chief Inspector Peter Volf, RFS Superintendent John Cullen and Commanding Officer of the Australian Army's Bega Valley response team Lieutenant Colonel Renee Kidson.
The resilient beauty of this region and its people was also the key focus of local Ambassador Jane Rutter, an internationally renowned and awarded flautist, with strong family ties to the Bega Valley.
Other musical entertainment was provided by the amazing crew from the Australian Army as well as well-known local busker Matt Preo, who performed a piece he'd written himself in tribute to firefighters.
Watch the entire ceremony below.
READ ALSO:
The Mayor's Australia Day 2020 address