Tributes flowed to firefighters and volunteers on Australia Day 2020 in Port Macquarie at the ceremony on Town Green.
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After the devastating drought and terrifying fire season, speaker after speaker expressed gratitude to those people who leave their families and homes to keep others safe.
Mayor Peta Pinson said Australia Day was a time of reflection and gratitude to live in a country as wonderful as ours. The mayor paid tribute to the great community spirit in Port Macquarie and to our firefighting heroes.
"Australia Day offers the chance to celebrate our diverse stories, the values we share and our history. We have become one of the most successful multicultural nations in the world," said the mayor.
"When people choose to call Australia home, they help enrich our society. Multiculturalism is part of our identity."
The Australia Day ambassador Justin Herald told the audience how he created a clothing brand called Attitude that became an international licensing success that turned over $20 million a year. He also paid tribute to all the firefighters in Australia.
"It is part of our culture to get beside each other and help each other," he said.
There was much joy and celebration with family and friends, especially among our new Australian citizens.
Mayor Peta Pinson welcomed them and Cowper MP Pat Conaghan read a message from Citizenship minister, David Coleman.
"We are immensely proud of what we have achieved as a nation and we welcome you in joining us. We believe in freedom, the rule of law and democracy.
"You have chosen to embrace our nation and its values and take on the rights and responsibilities of Australian citizenship. It is now your responsibility to join all of us to build an even stronger nation," he said.
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