I do hope all Aussies everywhere enjoyed a great Australia Day no matter where you were or what you were doing. There are fireworks tonight to celebrate the big day and thousands of people are gathered around the foreshore of the Swan River in Perth and South Perth and up in King's Park. They are expecting as many as 30,000 to turn up. I can actually hear fireworks right now but not sure if it is from Perth or perhaps nearby in one of the local parks where smaller celebrations are held.
I was extremely pleased when the Australian of the Year was announced by our Prime Minister yesterday that the man chosen was an indigenous Australian, one of our aborigines. He is a well known player of Australian Rules football, a very talented sportsman. Apart from his sporting prowess, however, he works tirelessly against racism and also to prevent violence against women. This unfortunately does happen quite a lot amongst his own people as well as in the white community. He spoke very well at the presentation and I feel he will achieve much in his lifetime.
Congratulations Adam Goode.
I was also delighted that a Western Australian was chosen as Senior Australian of the Year. Mr Fred Chaney has also worked tirelessly over many years on behalf of our aboriginal people, as a member of Parliament and privately as well. His wife has always been there to support him in his work. Congratulations also to Mr Chaney.
