Lower Mountains residents have wasted no time raising their hands to volunteer to share Rotary’s workload in staging another spectacular Australia Day ‘party’ at Glenbrook Park.
Event Organiser and Rotary Past Governor John Wakefield OAM said he was delighted with the early response from local residents following the call for volunteer support two weeks before Christmas.
But many more volunteers are needed given the unprecedented interest in the celebrations this year – with the arrival of 500 garden gnomes from China for the annual Australian Gnome Convention and the excellent program of attractions already in place.
Interested citizens should call John Wakefield on 0418 411 449 to register their names. Allocation of duties will take place in the week prior to January 26.
Rotary’s Australia Day planning committee chairman Drew Fitzpatrick said the club is pleased with the appointment of Olympic silver medallist Cameron Girdlestone as Australia Day Ambassador for the Blue Mountains.
‘Whilst Cameron’s duties for the day are still being finalised, we expect him to address the crowd at the official 9am opening ceremony at Glenbrook Park before he leaves for official events at other Mountains venues,” he said.
Mr Fitzpatrick said organisers expected the guest of honour to return later in the day to take part in Gnome judging, and mingle with the crowd.
Rotary Club president Pamela Noal said Australia Day at Glenbrook promised many highlights – from a great musical program in the big tent to entertaining ring events and a wonderful collection of food, craft and produce booths.
“Remember, activities commence with the official opening at 9am – which will include another memorable Australia Day recital by Australia’s champion bush poet Greg North and colour flag raising ceremony,” she said.