Fabulous weather brought people out in force for Council supported Australia Day celebrations. The day started at 7.00 am (5am for the SES volunteers!) with a big Aussie BBQ at Yorkey's Knob where the wonderful Rotary Club cooked a couple of thousand free breakfasts. Then we celebrated the Citizenship Ceremony at the Civic Theatre, and the announcement of Clive Skarrott as Citizen of the Year and James Watson from Port as Volunteer of the Year.

Talented young people, Clinton Cave and Mark Thompson, shared the award for Young Citizen of the Year and Chris Shepherd was awarded Sportsperson of the Year. Douglas residents attended the Blessing of the Fleet at the Combined Club at Port and the Family Fun Day at Mossman. For the first time southside residents were able to attend an event at Sugarworld Gardens where kids flocked to play in the new playground that opened at the end of last year.