31 January 2023, Cr Geoff Lovett- The Advertiser

Published on 31 January 2023

This is not the article I intended, but after reading Friday’s Addy I had a change of heart. There was an extensive coverage of Australia Day events throughout the Shire. Despite the furore surrounding Australia Day, pleasingly each was well attended.

Central Goldfields Shire comprises towns, villages, and hamlets each individually important, with the sum total ensuring our shire to be a strong and vibrant entity. I had the privilege of representing Council at the Bealiba Australia Day celebrations for the second year in a row.

This proud, active caring community have for generations assiduously cared for their community. On arrival I was warmly welcomed by the strong crowd in attendance. After the formalities I had the pleasure of talking to many residents both old and new.

During my address I mentioned that one in four Australians were born overseas choosing to make Australia their home. Due to the freedoms and opportunities available to all. One man, newly arrived in Bealiba told me he had fled oppression in Poland in 1985, to start a new life, a decision he has never regretted.

As I drove home I thought how fortunate I was. There was no better place to be on Australia Day than Bealiba, a perfect microcosm of today’s Australia. Good, honest, hard-working people who had come simply to celebrate what it is to be Australian.