By JESSE GRAHAM
PRIDE in town and nation were both on display as hundreds of people flocked to Marysville for the latest instalment of its annual Australia Day parade.
Residents and visitors from out of town lined the sides of Murchison street at 11am, when a convoy of cars, fire trucks, floats and even a sculpture of a wheelchair rolled slowly past, many emblazoned with Australian flags.
Multiculturalism was celebrated by a procession of flag-bearers, who carried flags from their country of origin as the procession made its way to Lions Park.
The event, which is organised by the Marysville and District Lions Club, brought people down from the city for a day out, which culminated with sausage sizzles, live music, jumping castles, and a sunny day out to celebrate the national event.
Official Australia Day ambassador and former chairman of the Starlight Children’s Foundation Victorian Advisory Board, Gerry Hanily, spoke before a group of gathered residents in the park after the parade had subsided.
Mr Hanily said that Marysville and its reconstruction following the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009, was exemplary of the Australian spirit.
Seymour MP Cindy McLeish, Murrindindi Shire councillor Chirstine Challen, Marysville and District Lions Club president Graham Taylor and Marysville Historical Society member Mary Kennealy all spoke at the event.
See more photographs at mail.starcommunity.com.au.
