General News
12 July, 2022
Independence Day celebrated
THE vibrancy and culture of the Loddon’s Filipino community was celebrated on Saturday. Pyramid Hill’s United Filipino Organisations held its first Philippines Independence Day function, marking the anniversary of their home country gaining...
THE vibrancy and culture of the Loddon’s Filipino community was celebrated on Saturday.
Pyramid Hill’s United Filipino Organisations held its first Philippines Independence Day function, marking the anniversary of their home country gaining independence from Spain in 1898.
Flags were paraded into the memorial hall by Pyramid Hill College principal Fiona Moon and St Patrick’s Primary School teacher Zoe Dennis, Kim Bennett and Bill Quinn, Denber and Rae Reyes before guests of honour spoke of the role of the Filipino community in the shire.
Mayor Dan Straub said: “Today we are celebrating you, the people of Pyramid Hill and your story. This is done with a sense of respect and pride while also keeping your own traditions alive and sharing them with us to make a greater country.”
Former mayor Cheryl McKinnon said the Filipino community had been inspirational in the local community, forging a new life in a new country.
And Kia Ora Piggery’s Tom Smith, who first brought Filipinos to Pyramid Hill to work on his farm, said one of the greatest rewards was seeing the community be part of his business and town.
Cr Straub also invested UFO leaders including new president Marilyn Fernandez during cele-brations. Traditional dances and a fashion parade were also part of the evening.
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