The Rotary Clubs of Carlingford and Beecroft would like to thank the members of the local community who attended our 2026 Australia Day Flag Raising and BBQ event at John Wearn Reserve, Carlingford.
Starting with a tremendous Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony presented by Clarence Bruinsma, followed by a series of excellent Australia Day short speeches from Martha Jabour OAM (NSW Local Hero 2025), Julian Leeser MP, and Andrew Charlton MP. We appreciated our local VIPs Monica Tudehope MP, Clr Georgina Valjak, Clr Hayley French and Clr Cameron McLean, Robert Erskine OAM and Rotary Governor Nominee Haran Ramachandran OAM joining the official party on-stage.
Our Auslan expert provided specialist interpretation of the official Australia Day speeches.
The North Rocks scouts raised our three flags (Australian, Indigenous Australia and Timor-Leste) whilst Stacey Brassell led the National Anthem.
Rotary District Governor Michele Ellery made a shout out on behalf of Rotary International and Rotary Club President Chris Johnson thanked everyone for attending.
Vocalist Stacey Brassell continued the entertainment from the stage, followed by young vocalist, guitarist and loop pedalist Lachlan Ashenden from Northbeat Music (photo above).
Whilst Stacey and Lachlan kept the Australia Day musical vibes going from the stage, the North Rocks Rural Fire Service served up a delicious BBQ breakfast. Triple Oh Coffee and Cakes by Jess did a terrific trade in Australia Day coffee and lamingtons.
Our free childrens entertainment - face painting, big bubbles, and Australian animal shape painting all proved very popular.
A huge thankyou to MC Michael Stuart-Watt and our organising committee - Fay Kitto, Russell Zimmerman, Robert Erskine, Jaythene Zimmerman-Hiscock, Cristy Newall and Trudy Stevenson - for facilitating the event.
Thankyou to our volunteers from the Rotary Clubs of Carlingford and Beecroft - we really appreciated your help on the day to make the event a success ! (Carlingford Rotarians Bob O'Shea, Sandra Payne, Mike Morgan, Gary Hayman).
Thankyou to John Romeo Sound, and Aburra Press for printing of promotional flyers.
Another huge thankyou to the National Australia Day Council for their financial support for the event, and City of Parramatta for having the John Wearn Reserve in good order ready for use on the Monday of the long weekend.
Photos - Cristy Newall, Fay Kitto, Daniel Dummer.