Becoming an integral part of the Parramatta community

Child-friendly Bicentennial Day celebrations, SANJIV DUBEY reports.

Governor Macquarie’s 200th anniversary was celebrated at the Parramatta Park on September 12, with an open day themed “Colonial Kids Down at the Dairy”. The event was part of a series being organised in Parramatta, in conjunction with the Parramatta Park Trust and the local community.

The family fun day offered the community an opportunity to get a close look at the historic Dairy Cottage in Parramatta Park, and featured a re-enactment of the group 73rd Regiment on Foot, which originally came out with Macquarie. On display were attractions like a military camp with black powder gunnery displays, a blacksmith and a bush band. Families could milk cows, children could pet the animals or take a ride on the cart and horses, all as part of the celebrations.

The children from Footwork Sports Academy in collaboration with New Australian Sports Association, were invited to manage and organise the Parramatta Spring Soccer tournament, in which more than a hundred children participated.

Russell Crowe’s Rabbitohs star rugby fullback Ryse Wesser presented the winner and runner-up mementos to the players. His very presence worked wonders for the local Westmead Rabbits team who won the round robin tournament, and the Blacktown Knights who finished as runners up.
Sanjay Nambisan of Blacktown Knights was judged the best player, Smit Patel of Westmead Rabbitohs got the best goal award and Jash Patel was presented with the encouragement award. The awards were distributed by Parramatta Park Trust Director Chris Levins and Ryse Wesser. 

The Old Government House and Domain in Parramatta Park was recently inducted as one of the 11 historic sites that together form the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property. Parramatta Park has joined the Sydney Opera House, Kakadu National Park, the Great Barrier Reef and other Australian icons on the World Heritage List.