Australia Day attracts 600 to Wagstaffe

About 600 people attended the Australia Day Breakfast at Wagstaffe this year.

"After a night of rain, we were fortunate with great weather and a great turnout of approximately 600 plus people to the Australia Day breakfast at Wagstaffe Square," said Wagstaffe-Killcare Community Association president Ms Peta Colebatch.

"With the support of the Gosford Council, the many volunteers for the association once again put on the traditional Australia Day breakfast in the Square.

"The worker's tasks include: tidying the hall, sweeping the square, preparing the bread and onions, and arranging decorations.

"The Killcare RFS assists with the collection of chairs from storage, and on the day itself, yet more helpers put out the chairs in the square, erect the marquee, arrange the serving stations, and cook the eggs, while the firies cook the patties on the BBQ.

"So it is a true community event, with everyone helping and contributing - all capably managed by Jeanette Martin and Fay Gunther.

"Our speaker, Andrew Rourke spoke of the concept of community or what an ideal neighbourhood should be like - "be considerate, don't extend your house and ruin your neighbours view, give a helping hand, pick up litter, work together to clean up after a storm, turn the music down (certainly don't play Justin Bieber).

"And similarly be tolerant: some people like ducks, some don't, accept you may not keep your uninterrupted view, enjoy the music, accept that people are different and accept their difference.

"Be a leader and set a good example for others to follow. It all comes down to compromise and wanting to get along. It's not rocket science."

"Chris Dillon sang He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, a song based on stories of selfless help regardless of colour or creed and led us all in singing We are Australian.

"Our local poet. Ken Tough, narrated of his poem, Boondee's Mob, a moving description from personal experience of school life, the good and bad, the highs and lows, the contrasts, the lessons learned, for white kids and aboriginal bush kids in a small country town in the early 50s. You can listen - search for "Boondee's Mob" on YouTube.

"So we are all fortunate to live in such a helping community.

Email, 18 Feb 2016

Peta Colebatch, WTKCA