Wee Waa’s Australia Day ceremony was held at the Namoi Echo Museum on Sunday morning.
“It was a good crowd and I think the earlier start time helped because it’s too hot later in the day,” said Julie Dowleans, president of the Wee Waa and District Historical Society.
Julie also hosted the Australia Day ceremony.
“The official proceedings went off very well and I think the recent rainfall also boosted spirits,” she said.
Of course a huge drawcard for the Wee Waa event is Kevin Roden’s popular and free ‘big breakfast’.
Julie thanked “Kev and his band of merry men” for cooking and serving the delicious, barbecue breakfast for attendees.
The ceremony started with a Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country by Clifford Toomey.
Brian Warren raised the Australian flag and Peter Carrett led the crowd in singing the national anthem.
Narrabri Shire Council Mayor Cathy Redding made a speech about Australia Day before officially welcoming the Shire’s 2020 Australia Day Ambassador, cricket legend and former fast-bowler Len Pascoe.
“Australia represents many things to our diverse community members and Australia Day is a time to reflect on that,” said Cr Redding.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the many organisations and emergency service departments who have assisted locally and further afield during a difficult and extreme Australian summer – battling bushfires and especially those who were away from their families over the Christmas period.
“I’d like to share my gratitude for their continued efforts.
“Helping others is the true Aussie spirit and I am proud of our generous community members who go above and beyond in the line of duty,” said Cr Redding.
Cr Redding presented Australia Day Ambassador Len Pascoe with a lapel pin and spoke about his achievements as an Australian Test and One Day International cricketer.
“Len enjoyed his Test Debut at Lords in 1977.
“He has been described, when he was fit, as ‘a menace, he ran in fast and clocked 90 miles at will’.
“His international career stats look fabulous,” said Cr Redding.
“In 14 tests, he picked up 64 wickets at 26.06 and from 29 One Day Internationals he had 53 wickets at 20.11.
“He ended with a first-class bowling average of 25.60.
“He is also one of our multicultural Australians having been born to Macedonian parents in Bridgetown, WA in 1950.
“He has a good understanding of our diverse country and the importance of social inclusion,” added Cr Redding.
Mr Pascoe now lives in Sydney and although he’s been retired for more than 40 years he has coached and helped many young cricketers achieve success including Glenn McGrath and Stuart Clark.
Mr Pascoe also gave a speech at the Wee Waa ceremony.
“It gives me a lot of honour to come here as an ambassador for Australia Day,” said Mr Pascoe.
“When I look back at my own family tree, I’ve got to admit that life has been pretty good to me.”
Mr Pascoe spoke about his own multicultural background as well as the wonderful cultures that make up Australia.
“My kids are typical of so many Australians – they’ve got a bit of the world in them,” he said.
“But the one thing that amazes me is that out of a population of 24-25 million people – we produce some of the most amazing people whether it’s in the medical or sporting field, the agricultural field, the engineering field.
“It’s something we can be very proud of, the mix that we are and the people we are.”
Mr Pascoe also spoke about how cricket has been “part of our culture” for many years.
“I just wanted to make a point that in 1868, 150 years ago the first Australian cricket team went to England,” he said.
“It was an all Aboriginal side – there were 13 players in that team and it was made up of stockmen and cattlemen from the western region of Victoria and they played 47 matches in six months and they never got paid a cent although it was a highly successful tour to the promoters.”
Mr Pascoe also shared entertaining tales about playing cricket at Lords in the 1970s alongside the likes of cricket legends Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson.
Attendees had the opportunity to chat to Mr Pascoe after the ceremony and many asked him for his autograph or a photo.
Mr Pascoe was also treated to a warm welcome to the district by Max Pringle who composed a poem in his honour.
Cr Redding and Mr Pascoe attended Australia Day ceremonies in Boggabri and Narrabri later in the day.
