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Council meeting · 28 January 2025

Australia Day citizenship ceremonies and the Rowville CFA Santa run

2 min 19 s · Item 5, Reports by Councillors · Reported as Deputy Mayor

0:001:30:53

This report runs from 16:31 to 18:51 of a 1 h 31 min meeting. Watch the full meeting on the council webcast.

Summary

I spoke about the Australia Day citizenship ceremonies at the Civic Centre and thanked the Knox staff behind a significant logistical exercise. From the end of 2024, I noted the Share Space end of year Christmas lunch at the 1st Rowville Scout Hall, and thanked the volunteers behind the Rowville CFA Santa run, a highlight for a lot of families in our part of Rowville.

The Rowville CFA Santa run.
The Rowville CFA Santa run.

Transcript

Edited from the meeting's auto-generated captions.

Thank you, Mayor. Just quickly, I think we've said it all regarding the success of the citizenship ceremonies in this room and the one adjacent on Australia Day. I think my highlight was probably Councillor Lockwood breaking into an Aussie chant, which had the room up and about. There was lots of energy and clapping and enthusiasm.

And just to recognise the work of so many of the Knox staff who put it together. It was a significant logistical exercise. There were many here very early, many here at the end of the day, double-checking, making sure everything was in order, and really making sure things ran as smoothly as they did. We had the incredible musician and vocalist Amanda Beer, who was a finalist from the 2024 Knox Factor talent competition. I think at one stage there wasn't a dry eye in the house with her incredible vocals. So I pass on my thanks for the work that went into that day, and congratulations to our newer citizens.

And just quickly from the end of 2024. On the 17th of December, I attended the Share Space sanctuary group end of year Christmas lunch, which was at the 1st Rowville Scout Hall. It was amazing to join Gail and her generous and smiling volunteers, so many friends and locals. It was a really great way to meet an inspiring bunch of people who were all in support of one another, and a very generous group.

And the other one I wanted to mention from the end of last year as well was the Rowville CFA Santa run, which was on the 21st and 22nd of December. This is an annual event which I'm so thankful for every year. I think it's for the young, but the young at heart as well, and I must admit I think I near pulled a hamstring joining my kids chasing the fire truck down Turramurra Drive, waving to Santa, getting a bag of lollies thrown out. It's a real highlight for, I know, a lot of families in our part of Rowville. And I just commend and thank the volunteers. I know that several brigades around the Knox district do the Santa run, and it's just great community spirit.

So I'll leave it there. Thank you.