Council celebrates Australia Day in Howlong

Council celebrates Australia Day in Howlong

Published on 26 January 2025

Residents, friends, family and visitors celebrated everything that’s great about living in Australia at this year’s Federation Council Australia Day celebrations.

The Federation community were joined by Australia Day Ambassador David Bitton and Council officials to celebrate Australia Day at Lowe Square in Howlong, where community members were treated to a breathtaking rendition of ‘I Am Australian’ by the Swag n’ Billy Bush Band and celebrated Federation Council award nominees and recipients. Event attendees then enjoyed a complimentary lunch, catered for by the Howlong Community Progress Association, with local infused bush tucker flavours from the Howlong Bakery, Howlong Butchers and Howlong IGA. 

David Bitton delivered an inspirational address at the ceremony, speaking about his amazing life experiences in the culinary industry.

Mr Bitton's story began on Anzac Day in 1991, when he arrived in Australia from France with just two suitcases and $1,000 to his name. Seeking opportunity and adventure, he found a country that welcomed him with open arms and a deep-rooted spirit of “fair go.”

His culinary journey started in some of Australia’s most prestigious establishments, including the Ritz Carlton, Hayman Island, and Windsor Hotel, eventually becoming Head Chef at the Sheraton on the Park. Along the way, he had the privilege of cooking for royalty, premiers, and international icons such as Janet Jackson, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Sir Roger Moore. Most significantly, it was during this time that he met his wife and business partner, Sohani, who has been by his side for over 34 years.

In 2000, David and Sohani took a leap of faith, leaving behind their high-paying roles to open a humble 20-seater coffee shop in Alexandria, then an unknown part of Sydney. What began as a small dream has since flourished into a thriving enterprise, Bitton, encompassing two restaurants, a nationally distributed gourmet product range, and a consulting arm.

In her welcome address, Federation Council Mayor, Cr Cheryl Cook said each year Australia Day provides us with a day to reflect on what it means to be Australian, to celebrate contemporary Australia and to acknowledge our history.

“On Australia Day we celebrate all the things we love about Australia; land, sense of fair go, lifestyle, democracy, the freedoms we enjoy, and particularly our people,” she said.

“Today we celebrate our people, the people of Federation Council who go above and beyond in their respective areas to ensure our communities thrive and grow. Our nominees are very special people, whose donation of time and effort warrants this type of special celebration. The commitment to our communities shown by our nominees is truly heart-warming, and these people along with many others throughout the Federation Council region make me so proud to be Mayor of this great region and preside over today’s celebration.”

Council would like to congratulate all the award recipients and nominees for the 2025 Federation Council Australia Day Awards.

2025 Australia Day Awards

Local Hero Award - Sports

Local Hero Award - Sports Nominees: Ian Bilney, Zoe Owen, Howlong Football Netball Club and Oaklands Cricket Club. 

Winners of the Local Hero Award - Sports: Zoe Owen and Oaklands Cricket Club. 

Local Hero Award - Individual

Local Hero Award - Individual Nominees: Alan Panther, Cathie Sutcliffe, Daniel Hateley, Dayna Carter, Elizabeth Kerr, Peter Ornsby and Wayne Lamb. 

Winners of the Local Hero Award for Individuals: Cathie Sutcliffe, Elizabeth Kerr and Peter Ornsby. 

Local Hero Award - Community Group

Local Hero Award - Community Group Nominees: Corowa District Historical Society, Howlong Fun & Fitness for over 50’s, Howlong Football Netball Club, Howlong Local Thrifty Store, Howlong Playgroup, Howlong Rural Fire Brigade, Lions Club of Corowa, Oaklands Cricket Club and Urana Progress Association.

Winner of the Local Hero Award - Community Group: Howlong Local Thrifty Store. 

Young Citizen of the Year Award

Young Citizen of the Year Award Nominees: Daniel Hateley and Dayna Carter. 

Winner of the Young Citizen of the Year Award: Daniel Hateley. 

Special Award

Winner of the Special Judges Award - Inspirational Young Person: Dayna Carter. 

Citizen of the Year Award

Citizen of the Year Award Nominees: Alan Panther and Wayne Lamb. 

Winner of the Citizen of the Year Award: Wayne Lamb. 

2025 Student Achievement Awards:  

Boree Creek Public School: Leilani Foster and Jason Shields. Corowa High School: Ella Webb and Franklin Murray-Wright. Corowa Public School: Jagger Doody and Jackson Barber.  Corowa South Public School: Mia Rolton and Maci Fenn. Howlong Public School: Heidi Reid and Patrick Conroy. Mulwala Public School: Nevaeh Rosmulder and Nancy Thomas. Oaklands Central School: Declan Carter and Matthew Sandral. Rand Public School: Fletcher Anderson and Ivy Kreutzberger. St. Mary’s Primary School: Nicholas Murphy and Pippa Thomas. Urana Public School: Alexis Finch and Max Fealy.

The 2025 Federation Council Australia Day Awards Celebration and Ceremony was assisted by the National Australia Day Council. Council would like to thank Justin Clancy MP, Australia Day Ambassador Mr David Bitton, the Swag N Billy Bush Band and of course the Howlong Community Progress Association and their volunteers for their dedicated work in partnering with Council to deliver a fantastic Australia Day celebration in Howlong.