INDIAN-Australians had double the reason to celebrate yesterday - with their mother-country and adopted country enjoying the national day of celebrations on January 26.
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The fusion of two unique cultures was on display at Lake Albert Hall where the sounds of traditional Indian singing were followed by Waltzing Matilda.
A flag pinned to the wall said it all - the flag was half Indian, half Australian, with our national animal the Kangaroo facing India's peacock.
Indo-Australian Friendship Day event initiator Kanth Kumar said the flag represented the vision behind the event.
"We are here and we want to bring the cultures together," Mr Kumar said.
"In India it is a different way of celebrating - it is a festival of colours.
"We eat samosas and curries, but it is the same idea as your barbecue - it is street food.
In India, January 26 honours freedom fighters and when India became a republic.
There is a kite festival and balloons are released.
Mr Kumar and the 40-strong crowd released balloons in Australian and Indian colours yesterday.
Kites were flown with both flags represented.
South Wagga Public School principal Greg Smith spoke to the community about multiculturalism, while Dr Alok Sharma spoke about the importance of India's Republic Day.
People born in India and Australia clapped together, danced together and feasted as one.
"We are really proud to be here," Mr Kumar said.
"We want to show our children they are not just Australian, they are not just Indian, they are both."