“WE are a lucky country - we really are, and we’ve got to appreciate what we’ve got.”
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With those words, Holbrook Lions Club president Neil Seymour summed up perfectly the sentiment at the town’s own Australia Day celebrations.
About 200 people turned out to the club’s event at Ten Mile Gardens yesterday, tucking into a breakfast of eggs and bacon before the ceremonies began, with Stephen Bunyan named Holbrook’s citizen of the year.
Mr Bunyan, who’s lived in the town his whole life, was recognised for his involvement in a range of community groups including the Holbrook Show Society, the Holbrook Football Club, and had at various times been the Holbrook Fire Brigade’s captain and deputy captain.
Asked if he could have guessed he would win, however, and Mr Bunyan shook his head in disbelief.
“Don’t be silly!” he laughed.
“It’s all a bit overwhelming actually. I didn’t need to be recognised but it is lovely.”
The official proceedings were followed by a morning tea in honour of Dr Arunachalam Lakshmanan, 74, the town doctor for 43 years and Lions Club member for 35.
Dr Lak, as he’s affetionately known, said he was humbled, crediting the community’s trust and support for any of his success in life.
His two sons, Anand and Arun Lakshmanan, visited from Sydney for the day and were touched to see the community’s love.
“We’re very proud of him,” said Arun.
For others, yesterday was about continuing tradition. Ruth Dinsdale was born in Holbrook, “as were my parents before me, and their parents before them”.
“We are keeping our identity by doing this,” she said proudly.
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