Hundreds thronged to the park for a day of entertainment including hip hop, Bananas in Pyjamas, circus, backyard cricket and a flyover by the Roulettes.

The park's Rotary waterwheel was turned on for the first time since water restrictions and mechanical problems shut it down several years ago.

At the Drum Theatre, 110 people became Australian citizens at a ceremony and Springvale Benevolent Society president Joe Rechichi was named Greater Dandenong's citizen of the year.

Other winners were Sudanese-born Victor Victor (young achiever's award), 86-year-old Carma Keast (good neighbour) and John Crichton (non-resident).