The Greater Hume Shire Australia Day celebrations at Woomargama were well attended by people from all over the Shire including Walla Walla, Henty, Holbrook, Jindera and Culcairn.

Also taking part in the celebrations were the Morgan County Car Club and the All Makes Classic Car Club who had a display of vintage cars in the Woomargama Hall car park.

Those that attended were entertained by local musician Bruce Lynch who had the crowd singing along to “I still call Australia home” before the formal part of the morning got under way.

Billabong High School captains Laura Parker and Jake Bourke each gave motivational speeches about why they think Australia is the lucky country.

Greater Hume Shire Mayor, Denise Osborne spoke about Australia being known as the land of the public holiday and the reasons we have to celebrate Australia day, “this day is set aside especially to celebrate being in Australia.

“Bonzer! Have a beaut!” she said.

Greater Hume Shire Australia Day Ambassador and water polo Olympic gold medal champion Debbie Watson OAM said, “I truly believe this is the lucky country. Our freedom and our democracy are what make us great.”

She went on to say that it is the fighting spirit of all Australians that makes her proud to call herself an Aussie.

During her speech Ms Watson reminisced over her career as a professional water polo player saying that she has many things to be proud of throughout her career. She fondly remembered when she was first selected for the Australian team and how she started playing water polo almost by accident after two knee reconstructions meant that the sport would be good for her rehabilitation.

“The Sydney Olympic Games was the ultimate experience,” she said adding that standing on the podium with the gold medal hearing 18,000 people singing the national anthem was “something I will never forget.”

“I am incredibly proud and privileged to have represented Australia in water polo for 17 years.”

But the best thing about Australia day according to Ms Watson is that “it means something different to everyone.”