Forest Park was alive with community pride, laughter, and flying footwear on Monday morning as Orbost residents gathered to celebrate Australia Day.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Orbost, the event celebrated the region’s dedicated volunteers and community groups while offering a morning of traditional Aussie fun.
The official awards ceremony saw local champion Cherie Young named as the Orbost Citizen of the Year, recognised for her ongoing contribution to the town.
The Young Citizen of the Year award was bestowed upon Giaan Woerz. Although Giaan was unable to attend the ceremony, her achievements were acknowledged by the crowd.
Rounding out the major honours, the Community Event of the Year was awarded to the Jarrahmond Landcare Group for their successful “Relax by the River” event, which brought locals together in a celebration of the environment and community connection.
The morning kicked off with a free breakfast provided by the Rotary Club, fuelling attendees for the day’s activities. A
highlight for those with a sweet tooth was the traditional ’26ers lamington cake, once again generously donated by the Orbost Bakery.
On the lighter side of proceedings, the highly anticipated thong throwing competition proved to be a resounding success again this year. Competition was fierce, but it was Simon van der Vlugt who unleashed the winning toss to take out first place.
The event showcased the resilience and close-knit nature of the Orbost community, bringing residents together to acknowledge their local heroes and enjoy a morning in the park.
