DISTRICT citizens yesterday gathered under the shade of park trees, under the protection of the Australian flag and by the light of the warming sun to celebrate Australia Day.
Yesterday citizens of Gannawarra didn't just celebrate what they love about being an Australia.
More than 200 people gathered at Atkinson Park to celebrate living in the community and on the land.
This time last year will be never be forgotten. The district was battling the biggest flood in a century and many had been evacuated, so Australia Day celebrations were cancelled.
This year's celebrations in Kerang focused on the unity of the community.
This year they ran as scheduled which gave resident even more reason to come together to celebrate our special day.
Morning festivities, organised by the Lions and Rotary clubs, included a cooked breakfast, followed by a flag-raising and affirmation ceremony.
Australia Day Ambassador Rachel Stanfield-Porter was accompanied by her youngest son, Joel.
Ms Stanfield-Porter founded the Bonnie Babes Foundation over 16 years ago after the loss of her first two sons.
Today the charity has branches across Australia, in the United States of America, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Ms Stanfield-Porter commended the citizens of Kerang for the manner in which they coped with the adversity encountered as a result of last year's flood event.
She said that the true Aussie grit and determination the community displayed to overcome it had been inspirational.
"It's what being a true blue Aussie and being a true mate is all about," she said.
This year has been earmarked "The year of the farmer", and as such Ms Stanfield-Porter said there it will be an opportune time to celebrate the vital role farming communities play in feeding and clothing all Australians.
She spoke about the galvanising experience of losing her first two sons and how the tragedy compelled her to help other families struggling through the emotional pain she felt, and the blessing of her two surviving sons Daniel and Joel.
The audience heard about the inspirational and difficult journey to publish her first book called 'Small Miracles'.
She described the five-and-a-half-year journey to become a published author as a long, tough road.
"But resilience, fortitude and fighting spirit were key traits imbedded in the character and history of our nation and in the human spirit of citizens and communities," she said.
"We Aussies roll up our sleeves and get on with it," she said.
On this day she asked each citizen to reflect on how we can give back to society, and make Australia and our communities a better place.
"Contribute and embrace harmony and dignity," Ms Stanfield-Porter said.
In a short address to the crowd Gannawarra Shire Max Fehring asked the citizens of Gannawarra to take the time to put pen to paper and write about their lives, both the ups and the downs.
"You will find every one of you has lived an extraordinary life and done extraordinary things.
"We are rural Australians and should be proud of what we contribute," Cr Fehring said.
Cr Fehring said the community was well on its way to recover from the tragic flood event, but said the mental capacity of citizens will be tested over the coming months and urged citizens to seek help if they need it.
"If we live in respect and harmony we have so much to look forward to."
This year Mervyn Milley, Lynette Millar, Dorothy Cox and Keith and Elaine Light were recognised as part of the Lions Club of Kerang annual citizenship initiative.
The certificates recognise people who have lived in the town for 40 years or more and who can now can truly call themselves locals.
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