Well-loved Aussie actor John Wood says one of the most significant things he has witnessed at an Australia Day ceremony happened here in Bathurst yesterday.
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He was referring to the moment when Wiradjuri elder Bill Allen offered the welcome to country assisted by a band of young Aboriginal boys and girls who performed a dance of welcome prior to the citizenship ceremony.
It is the first time the Wiradjuri have been involved in Bathurst’s Australia Day celebrations.
Mr Wood said he hopes our indigenous communities across Australia also come to feel involved, even if it means we need to change the date of the occasion.
“I think 99.9 per cent of us really want to recognise the Aboriginal people for their contribution and custodianship of the land,” Mr Wood said.
It is a much-needed step in the right direction, he said, referring to Mr Allen’s words that it is always better to be included than excluded.
Mr Wood was a huge hit with the people of Bathurst as he attended Australia Day celebrations in Bathurst and Eglinton.
As he made the rounds, the Blue Heelers star was constantly approached for autographs and posed happily for photos with his many local fans.
In fact, his face is so familiar that many people said they felt they already knew him.
Yesterday he said he didn’t know why he wanted to be an actor, he just knew that he did.
His father wasn’t particularly thrilled, although he learned to live with it.
Mr Wood added that while many of his colleagues went off to London to work, where they acquired a suitable accent, he remained in Australia.
“If I had anything to say, it was with an Australian accent,” he said.
He added that he was fortunate to have some incredible writers create some iconic roles for him.
Mr Wood has been an Australia Day ambassador for more than 20 years, mostly in Victoria.
“It’s always a great experience to go and meet the people who have appreciated the stuff I’ve done on TV,” he said.
“You forget the importance of television as a cultural tool. I wish there were more Australian productions, though.”
Mr Wood added that he was enjoying his time in Bathurst and had been here before – many times, in fact.
His first visit to the city was for a performance of Death Of A Salesman in 1970. He also attended a very wet Bathurst 1000 one year.
During his Australia Day address, Mr Wood said no-one chooses their parents or the location in which they are born.
“I was lucky to be born here to parents who were committed to this country,” he said.
“Happy birthday Bathurst and have a happy Australia Day. We have a hell of a lot to be proud of.”
