Australia Day kicks off in Cowaramup and Margaret River

A balmy summer’s day welcomed strong attendance at Australia Day celebrations across the region on Thursday. The Margaret River Lions resumed their custodianship of the annual breakfast at the Margaret River Heart, while their Cowaramup colleagues mustered to feed the hungry holiday hordes in Pioneer Park. Midmorning at the Rivermouth, cultural elders held a smoking ceremony and welcome to country that saw a big turnout for low-key celebrations of community togetherness despite the sometimes divisive annual public holiday. In Cowaramup, the annual Col Duggan citizenship award was handed to long-time resident and pharmacist Ashley Hammond, while the youth award this year honoured Angus Webster. The young athlete, who is off to study biomedical science at Curtin University, was recognised for a diverse range of sport and community activities. Mr Hammond was acknowledged for his long involvement in Cowaramup life, which apart from his business work, included long stints with Rotary and involvement in local sports, as well as his long support for junior sports awards and men’s mental health.