General News
3 February, 2025
Natimuk united by national pride
Natimuk celebrated Australia Day in style with a vibrant community gathering at the Lake Foreshore on Sunday, January 26.
The event, organised by local committees and supported by Horsham Rural City Council (HRCC), brought together families, friends and visitors for a day of patriotism, entertainment and camaraderie under the summer sun.
The celebrations began at 11am with a flag-raising ceremony led by Vietnam veteran and RSL Natimuk member Robert Ellis, who said he was honoured to perform the task, given his military background.
“Being an ex army person, I had a lot to do with the flag,” Mr Ellis said.
“I feel honoured to be raising the flag today and will do it again if anyone ever asks me.”
Local musician Emilee Jones-Pritchard delivered a stirring rendition of the national anthem, accompanied by the Natimuk Brass Band.
Robert White led the Natimuk Brass Band along with the members Alan Williams, Steve Ellis, Brian Lewis, Robert Emmett, Bevan Voschen, and Mark Byron.
Visitors enjoyed a free barbecue brunch until 2pm courtesy of Natimuk Lions Club before being entertained by Ms Jones-Pritchard’s captivating cover performances.
Activities for all ages, including outdoor games, free face painting and the ever-popular thong-throwing competition, kept the lively atmosphere buzzing throughout the day.
HRCC councillor Angela Munn, representing council at the ceremony, commended Natimuk’s strong community spirit.
“Natimuk is a really great community with really big community spirit,” Cr Munn said.
“Any event that brings people together in a way that creates a better community is always wonderful, and Australia Day is just one of those days that has the magic to include everybody from all parts of the world.”
The special guest speaker of the day, Keith Lockwood, gave a a heartfelt speech about the rich history and environmental significance of Natimuk Lake and its surrounding area.
Mr Lockwood highlighted the lake’s ups and downs over the years, tracing its origins back to ancient geological changes and celebrating the community's efforts to preserve it.
He also touched on the vital role of the Spear family in funding the lake’s modern facilities, emphasising the need to continue protecting the local environment and supporting community projects.
The music line-up continued into the evening, featuring performances by the Dog and Brass Band, Prue Heard and the final act, The Last Stand, which closed the event with an electrifying show.
The event’s success was further enhanced by the support of a shuttle bus service organised by HRCC and the Natimuk Economic and Social Plan Project Advisory Committee to ensure smooth transport between Horsham and Natimuk for attendees.
With a blend of history, entertainment and community pride, Natimuk’s Australia Day celebration showcased the town’s unique ability to unite people in celebration.
As Mr Lockwood said, “events like these reflect the resilience and dedication of our community”.
“With continued support and fresh energy we will keep this tradition alive for years to come,” he said.
