AN AUSTRALIA DAY 2008 MESSAGE
23rd January, 2008
Federal Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss has encouraged everyone to join in local celebrations for Australia Day on Saturday January 26.
“We have so much to celebrate and to be proud of on our national day — our beautiful land, our generous people, our diversity and culture, our freedom and democracy. Australia Day is also a time to look to the future and consider what we can do together to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” Mr Truss said.
“Australia Day provides an opportunity for Australians everywhere to reflect on the privilege of living in a wonderful country where people in city and country are able to live in peace and share in all the good things our country has to offer.”
“But the spirit of Australia is characterised not only in celebrations, but also when people respond spontaneously to the needs of others in this country and overseas. The personal tragedies, which are also so much part of Australia, the bushfires, the droughts and floods and other times of adversity, seem to bring us closer together.”
“Almost every city, town and village in the nation gives us the opportunity to capture some of the spirit of our national day through locally organised events and commemorations.”
“The Commonwealth of Australia was created peacefully by years of negotiation and the democratic choice of the people. Our unique Australian system of Westminster democracy, our constitution and our flag have served the nation well and are important fundamentals of the Australia we all hold dear.”
“But we cannot take our future success for granted. We must continue to be vigilant and to build on our past achievements to ensure our country remains strong in the future for everyone” he said.
Warren Truss will this year be attending Australia Day festivities and a naturalisation ceremony in Gympie.
