PAYCE and Sutherland Shire Council Partnership helps Community Celebrate Australia Day

• January 27^th, 2016: Sutherland Shire, Sydney NSW.

Thousands Celebrate at Cronulla Park and Beach

PAYCE celebrates Australia Day with the Sutherland Shire Council on Cronulla Beach in Sydney

The day began at 8.00am when hundreds of competitors took part in the Australia Day Running Festival, taking part in one of four "fun" or "endurance" runs, on and around Wanda Beach.

As the morning progressed, the number of spectators increased, with groups of friends and family grabbing spots under the shade of the Norfolk pines in Cronulla Park, with the best views of the concert stage.

Community Concert Performance a Proud Achievement - Brian Boyd, PAYCE

The community concert began in Cronulla Park at 1.00pm and featured a program of performances by local entertainers and multicultural groups, Grace Pitts, Jordan Tristan Thomasin and Ettinghaussens.

The family fun zone, which included a special circus playground where kids could learn to unicycle, juggle and hula dance, as well as pet the reptiles and koalas of the local Symbio Wildlife Park, helped to keep the younger members of the crowd entertained for hours.

The performance from the Miranda and Engadine Musical Societies in the mid-afternoon had the crowd singing and dancing in the sunshine to familiar songs.

The band "Australian Played" kept the revellers up and dancing with a great selection of classic rock songs, as events progressed towards one of the more formal parts of the day – the local Australian Citizenship Ceremony.

PAYCE'S Mr. Brian Boyd and Mr. Dominic Sullivan are proud to be again associated with the Sutherland Shire Council with this new event sponsorship and look forward to continuing the efforts with the Sydney community in 2016 and 2017.

Citizenship Ceremony

The main Australian Citizenship Ceremony had taken place earlier at the Sutherland Entertainment Centre, when 150 new Australian citizens, representing 35 nationalities were sworn in. 6 new citizens made their pledge of allegiance to Australia in front of a large crowd on the Cronulla concert stage, to loud applause and cheers.

As the sun fell, "Dragon", one of Australia's most famous rock bands, took to the stage to perform a set of their classic songs which have become classic hits for fans in Australia and around the globe.

One of the most enjoyable highlights of the evening was when crowd favourite, and one of the Shire's own sons, Mark Vincent, took to the stage to perform for the 10th year running. Rachael Beck also took to the stage to sing classic opera with a contemporary twist.

The day came to a close with a fantastic fireworks display, which lit up the evening sky and delighted the watching crowds, finishing off what had been a very special and fun filled day.

Great Entertainment and Good Company - Brian Boyd

Brian Boyd, PAYCE Managing Director, said the company was very proud to be associated with what is one of the community's most anticipated events in the calendar.

"The day had something for everyone, and both young and old had a great time, with fantastic weather, great entertainment and good company all combining to make the day a success," Mr. Boyd said.

"On behalf of PAYCE, I congratulate Mayor Carmelo Pesce. the Council and the volunteer groups who have helped to organise and run such a fantastic program of entertainment and activities for the local community," Brian Boyd continued.

Pride in the Community

Dominic Sullivan, PAYCE General Manager, also thanked the Council for its warm hospitality and said he thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere of the day.

"It was fantastic to see so many happy and smiling faces, all enjoying Australia Day; it is testimony to the spirit of the community which the Shire is so well known for," Mr. Sullivan stated.

"This is the first year that PAYCE has partnered with Sutherland Shire Council for the Australia Day festivities, and the massive turn out has once again demonstrated the strong pride the local community has in the Shire," said Mr Sullivan.

The 2016 Australia Day supported the Steven Walter Children's Foundation, a charity based in Kirrawee. The funds raised by the thousands of people who enjoyed the Australia Day event and made donations or purchased merchandise, will go towards supporting cutting-edge research into children's cancer at the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick.