For Salvino Borg, Rachael Hawkins and Stephen Charlesworth the day will be remembered as the one on which they gained their Australian citizenship in a short ceremony conducted by Mayor Stuart Freudenstein.

Cr Freudenstein presented the Mayoral Award to Eric Smith and said it was well deserved.

“When you look through Eric’s contribution to the community and try to cut it down to one page, you soon realise what a challenge that is,” said Cr Freudensein.

This year the Business Award was presented by Councillor John McGregor to Darren and Tanya Wilder of Wilder MotorCycles, who he said have built a fine reputation for themselves based on knowledge, honesty, experience and expertise.

“I would like to thank Darren and Tanya for bringing their business to Young and for the excellent service and support you provide to our community,” Cr McGregor said.

Can Assist Open Gardens was presented with the Community Event award by Deputy Mayor John Drum who said it was wonderful to see our local branch receive acknowledgement for their annual presentation of open gardens.

“It is incredible to think that through the organisation of such pleasurable events, so much can be achieved in the assistance for local cancer sufferers and their families,” Cr Drum said.

The Cultural Award went to Young Regional School Of Music this year and was presented to director, Nonette Brown, by Young Shire Council general manager, Peter Vlatko.

After leading the crowd in a rousing (and refreshing) chorus of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie – Oi, Oi, Oi.” Mr Vlatko got down to business and said the school provides students with the finer educational aspects enjoyed by their city counterparts.

“I am impressed with the range of expertise, commitment and passion of the staff of the Young Regional School of Music,” Mr Vlatko said.

Rick Oliver was the recipient of the Senior Sportsperson Award this year and received it from Councillor John Walker.

Mr Oliver is captain of the Young Golf Club and one of his many achievements was competing in the Asia-Pacific Senior Golf Championships played in Sabah, Malaysia.

“When you go away and stand under our flag and hear our song, there’s no feeling quite like it,” said Mr Oliver.

The Junior Sportsperson Award was collected by Riley Scelly from Councillor John Laybutt who listed Mr Scelly’s considerable athletics achievements to date.

“Apparently his athleticism is not only confined to athletics he also enjoys participating in both cricket and football,” Cr Laybutt said.

Mr Trevor Green collected the Community Service Organisation Award on behalf of the Young Men’s Shed. The award was presented to Mr Green by Cherry Queen, Emily Calvert, who said the list of the Shed’s achievements was impressive.

Val Weir shed a tear when she accepted the Community Service Individual Award presented by Councillor Debbie Prest, who described her work with the local Breast Cancer Support Group as being tireless.

“She provides a source of strength and inspiration for fellow sufferers the medical assistance cannot provide,” Cr Prest said.

Young’s Junior Citizen of the Year was Ryan Shoard, unfortunately absent on the day because of career commitments, was described by Councillor Sandy Freudenstein as being an exceptional, industrious young person who has demonstrated a commitment to the service of his school and community.

Mr Cliff Sheridan was than awarded Young’s Citizen of the Year Award by Young’s Australia Day Ambassador, Michael West, who described Mr Sheridan as a role model citizen for the town.

“He has served in the areas of schooling, sporting, service organisations, religious, health care services and aged care services,” Mr West said.

Mr Sheridan said he felt humbled to receive the award and modestly acknowledged the efforts of others.

“See those people behind you cooking the sausages? They are the unsung heroes who deserve this, all those Rotarians, who volunteer their time and devote their effort to make these sorts of events successful,” Mr Sheridan said.