Lions prepare for huge annual breakfast

“Every year it is a fantastic way to celebrate the occasion and welcome new Australian citizens with the ceremony, which is held by the Shire,” said Kaye Exell, Lions Club President. 

“We welcome any and all residents and visitors to Gloucester Park on the morning of the 26^th, where we prepare a fully cooked Aussie breakfast and there is music and entertainment.”

Crowds of locals and visiting tourists flock to the sporting ovals for the low-key community-focused celebration, which has grown to numbers of over 500 people in recent years. 

“It shows how passionate people are about recognising new Australians and welcoming them to our nation.”

Along with rousing live music and displays by local emergency service divisions, the breakfast will also be attended by Australian paralympian Brad Scott as Australia Day Ambassador for 2017.

The two time paralympian collected his first Paralympic Games medal at Beijing in 2008, where he represented his country in the T37 800 metre race. 

Born with a mild form of cerebral palsy, the middle distance runner honed his skills at the Australian Institure of Sport before taking his place on the 2012 London Paralympic dais with a silver in the 1500m and bronze in the 800m competition.

Mrs Exell said the group was proud to be hosting such an inspirational athlete.

“We are really pleased to be welcoming Brad to Margaret River and looking forward to what he has to say about being an Australian and representing the country in his sport,” she said.

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The Lions Australia Day Breakfast begins at 8am at the Gloucester Park complex on Wallcliffe Road with a cooked breakfast ($5 per person, children under 12 years old free) and entertainment.

The Citizenship Ceremony will begin at 9.30am and celebrations will conclude at 10.30am.