MONDAY’S 150th birthday party for Banjo Paterson was a great celebration of the poet’s life and works according to Orange mayor John Davis.
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Governor of NSW Professor Marie Bashir was among the dignitaries invited and she spoke of her love of the country.
The celebration was held at Orange Botanic Gardens.
“There was that much history and discussion, the governor spoke fantastically well,” Cr Davis said.
“She’s an ordinary person in an extraordinary job ... she’s one of us.”
Cabonne Council mayor Ian Gosper along with members of the Rotary Club of Orange and Orange District Historical Society were also there to celebrate the successful Banjo Paterson Festival.
Taste Orange chief executive officer Rhonda Sear said professor Bashir “hit a connection with a lot of people” at the birthday celebration.
“She drew stories from her own childhood that country people are special people, she certainly touched a lot of people,” she said.
Well-known actor Jack Thompson was also there to celebrate and recited Banjo’s poem Clancy of the Overflow to the 120-strong crowd.
nadine.morton@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Photo: SAM HARGRAVES
