By Joanna Jones

NEARLY 400 people, many with flags flying, flocked to Kolora Park Palmwoods to partake in the annual Australia day celebrations, in what was the largest turnout since its inception in the 1988 Bicentennial year.

The event started off with a delicious breakfast of sausages, bacon and egg burgers and fresh fruit kindly cooked and supplied by the Palmwoods-Woombye Lions Club.

Lions Club spokesperson Doug Montagu said that this was the l2th year the Lions had been supplying breakfast and it was proving as popular as ever with more than 340 breakfasts being served.

"20 dozen eggs later we are still going strong," he said.

There was entertainment for all ages with organised activities for children and musical performances and the citizenship ceremony for adults. The children's games and activities were supervised by Phil Rochou and Riding for the Disabled Association volunteers were kept busy painting little faces all morning. A bush dance for children and their parents was also held during the celebrations.

The adults enjoyed a smorgasbord of musical entertainment with an Australian theme from local talent including, the Funsters, the Palmwoods Singers, local award winning songwriter Annie Jeffs, and Rebecca Whittington who sang the national anthem.

After the flag was raised Councillor Geoff Littler presented the Palmwoods Australia Day citizen awards to Marjorie Murray and Allan Wood. Marjorie's award recognises her invaluable contribution to the growth and success of the Palmwoods Singers as well as her good work for various other community groups. Allan's award was in recognition for the time he has put into several community groups, including the Palmwoods/Woombye Lions Club, auditing and providing accounting advice. Unfortunately due to illness Allan was unable to attend, his wife Joan picked up the award on his behalf.

Pictured left: Marjorie Murray accepts Palmwoods Citizen of the Year Award and Joan Wood collects her husband Allan's Citizen of the Year Award at last week's Australia Day Awards at Palmwoods.

The Citizen awards have been running for five years and are sponsored by the Palmwoods Progress Association.

Maroochy Shire Mayor Don Culley hosted the second citizenship ceremony in Palmwoods and presented 10 residents with Australian citizenship. The new citizens are Pauline Hurrey, Meroli and Evan Mawdsley, Anne and Kenneth Miles (along with their four children), Alexander and Helen Milligan, Donald Wood, and Donald and Gillian Hall.

Other dignitaries in attendance were Member for Fisher Peter Slipper who addressed the crowd speaking on behalf of Immigration Minister Phillip Ruddock, Member for Nicklin Peter Wellington and Reverend Patricia King who blessed thc ceremony.

After the citizenship ceremony thc celebrations concluded with a morning tea of damper cooked by the Palmwoods Scouts.

Everyone, (including the ducks) appeared to have a good time and no doubt will be back again next year to celebrate Australia Day in the new millennium.