SONG AND DANCE FOR JUDITH
JUDITH Ferber jokes that she cannot sing, dance or play an instrument. But for almost 40 years she has played a pivotal beat at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod allowing hundreds of thousands of children to pursue their dream.
Ms Ferber was awarded an Order of Australia Medal yesterday for her service to performing arts. She was joined by a number of Gold Coasters who have worked tirelessly to make their city a better place.
TENS of thousands of revellers flocked to city beaches, parks and waterways dressed in their green and gold and national flags to celebrate Australia Day.
There was cricket, swimming and a punt of the footy as Gold Coasters baked in the sun to celebrate the occasion.
It’s estimated more than 30,000 people stormed the beaches, keeping lifeguards busy.
Six swimmers had to be rescued while 281 people were stung by bluebottle jellyfish.
At Broadwater Parkland families and friends gathered while donning their Australia flag hats, glasses and even tattoos.
“(I’m here) because I love Australia,” said Aura Dobersan, who has spent the past five years on the Gold Coast after migrating from Colombia.
“I love the beaches, the sunny days, and the people.”
Oxenford mother-of-three Lynette Southern, an adopted Australian originally from Auckland, got into the spirit of the day by giving her children $10 each to dress to the occasion.
“We’re proud to be Australians … we moved over 23 years ago. Then came along the kids, we became Australian citizens … we’d never go back,” she said.
Many of the Australian flags seen flapping around at Broadwater Parklands were purchased for a good cause.
Rural Aid were selling the flags to raise funds for farmers impacted by the horrific fires.
General manager Wayne Thomson said: “We had a few first day Aussies … who just did there citizenship program and they were very proud to buy their flag and give it a wave.”
Gold Coast Police District Inspector Mick Stenner said police had been out in force but no issues had been reported.
“So far reports have been good, crowd behaviour has been very good, and there’s been very little exceptions to that,” he said.
“I’ve driven the whole coastal strip today, there’s been a lot of families and a lot of attendants in the parks, but the behaviour’s been excellent.
“We’re only half way through the Australia Day weekend, we’ll continue to be out and about. We want people to enjoy themselves but they’ve got to also remember that there will be zero tolerance to unruly, anti-social or violent behaviour.”