The Southern Brook Hall Australia Day breakfast was again well attended with an eager crowd of 50 attending the 2019 event organised by the Southern Brook Community Association for the third consecutive year, that was proudly sponsored by the Shire of Northam.
An energetic committee along with many other helping hands prepared and cooked a lavish barbeque breakfast that was served up inside the Southern Brook Hall.
Cups of tea and coffee were sipped throughout the morning while everyone mingled and told yarns in the freshness of the morning country air.
Vice president of the Southern Brook Community Association Paul Antonio welcomed guests to the national day and acknowledged the community volunteer input for the event.
Shire of Northam president Chris Antonio was pleased to be attending on home ground and did ‘Welcome to Country’; highlighting the uniqueness of the Southern Brook Hall and surrounds and the wonderful community spirit enjoyed by locals, families and visitors.
Thank you to Michael Vincent, flag enthusiast who ensured the Australian flag was folded and set up correctly creating a proud Australia Day moment when the National Anthem was sung aloud while the flag was raised to full mast.
Michael Vincent a keen collector was also the guest of honour who took to the stage on the eastern side of the Hall where he did a ‘show and tell’ story about the historic Barleycorn Brewery industry that was once a hype of activity where Northam Boekeman Machinery business is now located.
Michael finished his stage performance with the recital of Banjo Paterson’s legendary poem ‘A Bush Christening’.
Local Southern Brook resident families attending the Australia Day breakfast event included the Antonio, den Hollander, Fitzgerald, Grogan, Fulwood, Khan, Lawrence, Saunders and Vincent families.
In addition other families from Northam were the Jodkowski, Masters, O’Neill, Smith, Street, Wilding and John Murphy who travelled from York.
After an efficient clean up by 11am, it was a break before many enjoyed the Australia Day Bernard Park Concert in the Park awards, celebrations and music that followed by Renegades.
Southern Brook were nominated for the community BBQ project and special acknowledgement and congratulations to Mrs Carmel Sands who was nominated and was awarded the 2019 Shire of Northam Senior Active Citizen Award.
A huge thank you to the Shire of Northam for your support and especially to the residents of Southern Brook for your duly involvement.
Kathy Saunders is the secretary for the Southern Brook Community Association.
