Lang Lang celebrates

The Man From Snowy River was recited in rousing fashion at Lang Lang. 133623

By DANNY BUTTLER

THE Man from Snowy River arrived in Lang Lang on Australia Day.
With stockwhips cracking, the famous Banjo Patterson poem was recited to a community hall packed with enthusiastic Australia Day participants.
Local artist Brian Candy kept the rural Australian theme going with his touching renditions of John Williamson’s Raining On The Rock and True Blue.
Australia Day ambassador Elizabeth Chong was the special guest for the day, telling her inspiration story of how a girl born in a Chinese rice village rose to become a respected chef and renowned television personality.
Ms Chong said the words of Australia’s alternative national anthem resonated with all those who made a new life in the great southern land.
“We are one, but we are many,” she said.
“I am, you are, we are Australians.”
The major Australia Day award went to Karen Brann for her outstanding community service, while Val Williams was awarded the Senior Citizen of the Year and Stephanie Geyer the junior award.
With sausages sizzling, a jumping castle for energetic young Australians and a display of historic engines giving a glimpse into our past, this was an Australia Day to remember.