Ngatokorua Teopu, Jason Newton, Morgan Torch, Stacey Stokes and Pamela. After their swearing in, the new citizens were presented with gifts including WA floral emblem the Kangaroo Paw. Photos: Geoff Vivian.
Cooler weather drew a good crowd for the Rotary Club of Esperance’s Australia Day celebrations on Sunday.
There was non-stop live entertainment, free children’s activities, market stalls and a classic car display from 9am before the Rotarians handed over to Esperance Shire for the formal part of the event.
Shelley Payne MLC, herself a naturalised Australian, welcomed the new citizens just before they took the pledge.
Pamela Sherlock, Stacey Stokes, Morgan Torch, Jason Newton and Ngatokorua Teopu then became Australian Citizens.
Australia Day ambassador and Push Up Challenge founder Nick Hudson delivered the key note speech before Peter Rundle MLA introduced the Community Citizen of the Year presentations.
There were no nominations in the Youth category this year.
Cr Leonie de Haas recognised the three nominees for Senior Citizen of the Year: Win Bingham, Rosemary Wanless and Rod Taylor, with the award going to Mr Taylor.
Cr Sam Starcevich introduced the two group category nominees Esperance Fundraising Group and Esperance No Limits Netball group, with Winsome Bingham accepting the award for the Group category.
The Australia Day Ambassador then announced the Community Citizen of the Year nominees Lynn Kidd, Sarsby Martin, Amy Walter, Phil Longmire and Tanya Rea.
The overall Community Citizen of the Year was Esperance Roo Haven founder Lynn Kidd.
