A vibrant crowd attended the flag raising ceremony held at Eden’s iconic flag mast with glorious warm weather providing the perfect backdrop to the morning’s proceedings.

The program included the performance of three popular Australian songs by the lively and tuneful Eden Singers and a reading of Australian verse by Jenny Drenkhahn.

The Eden Singers rendition of Peter Allen’s Tenterfield Saddler was the crowd favourite with many singing along.

Ms Drenkhahn recited James L. Cuthbertson’s “Australian Sunrise” which proved popular with the attendees. 

“It is a verse that many people know, and love, and many can recall learning at school,” Ms Drenkhahn said. 

Local author Susie Sarah gave a heartfelt address drawing attention to her English, Dutch and Aboriginal heritage.

“We have mixed and melded together to call ourselves Australians,” she said.

Ms Sarah spoke about the hardships her Aboriginal family endured and the challenges they faced claiming their Aboriginality in assimilation era Australia.

“The Aboriginal members of our family found life was a struggle,” she said. “My cousin and uncle continually refuse to admit they were of Aboriginal descent – partly to ensure in my uncle’s case that they stayed together.”

She ended by congratulating and acknowledging Australian of the Year recipient, Michelle Simmons.

“Her work in Quantum Physics at the University of New South Wales just proves that our dreams can become reality through determination and sheer gutsy hard work.”

Emcee Genevieve McGuiness wrapped up proceedings by encouraging people to make the most of the day.

“Have a rip-snorter of an Australia Day,” she said.

After the official program, the volunteers from the Eden Service and Social Club (ESSCI) served up delicious sausage sandwiches to a hungry and appreciative crowd.

 At the Eden Cricket ground, bats were at the ready for the annual Owen Allen Cricket Challenge. Six teams registered to play with an enthusiastic crowd assembled to cheer them on. 

Each team fielded eight players, playing eight over matches.The teams were a mixture of ages with some as young as five taking to the field. 

Women and men also came together with the ladies runs doubled.

There was a vibrant and fun-filled atmosphere at the grounds with many settling in on the side-lines for a picnic and a few cold drinks.

Eden residents, Joey Elton, Xavier Bowes and Jemma Pollock, came dressed for the occasion with their faces painted green and gold.

Resting on the side-lines after playing in the second match of the day, the three team-mates were excited to have scored 124 runs between them.

Eden cricket club president, Drew Mudaliar, and his team were still all smiles even though they had lost their match.

The Owen Allen Challenge is an annual social event that brings people together each Australia Day for a day of cricketing fun.