The crowd gathered - be it sitting on blankets or in camping chairs in their Australia Day hats and outfits, or standing while munching on a sausage sandwich - listening in silence to this year’s ambassador Nine News presenter Peter Overton.

He spoke of his and his wife, Jessica Rowe’s connection to the town, and his promise to the late Councillor John McGregor that he would one day be our Australia Day ambassador.

And there he stood - just hours before he was needed back in Sydney to deliver the 6pm news - prior to presenting our local identities and unsung heroes their prestigious awards.

Rural Fire Service cadet coach, firefighter and Murringo resident Samuel Tout claimed the town’s top honour of 2016 Citizen of the Year for his significant contribution to the community through the RFS.

In his role as South West Slopes Fire Cadet team coach and RFS youth committee advisor to other teams, Sam has exhibited a vision for youth leadership and the ability to foster team development and individual goal setting.

His involvement with the team began in 2007 when his son Alex became a cadet.

As a keen parent Sam regularly assisted the cadet team coach at the time, Trevor Reeves.

When his son ended his involvement with the cadets four years ago, Sam’s commitment never wavered and he continues to coach the team on a regional, state and national level.

In 2013 he took over as lead coach, training through the now state youth advisor and former local girl Amy Blackwood, and setting up training programs and timetables for local cadets to learn safety, teamwork and individual skills.

This training regime paid off when three of the six team members he trained came second in the 2015 National RFS Cadet Championships.

One of Sam’s former cadets, Lizzie Butt, just so happened to take out Young’s Junior Citizen of the Year award for her volunteering duties with many local organisations, as well as excelling in the sporting arena.

The 17-year-old has become a role model and mentor to school students and other young people and has been invited to represent organisations at conferences.

She is a key member of the Young Youth Council and just this year finished her time with the South West Slopes Fire Cadet team after four years, leaving as officer in charge and who was among those who placed second at last year’s National RFS Cadet Championships.

As the only female team member, she was well respected and maintained the team as one unit, competing with sportsmanship, pride and mateship.

Lizzie also volunteers weekly at Young Public School, helping the support unit in their library and art lessons.

Last year she was joint sports captain and prefect on the leadership team at Young High School, representing the school and training students below her in athletics at zone and state level.

She was also selected for the Brumbies 15s schoolgirl team to compete at the state titles, a member of the Southern Inland Rugby Union team 7s that won the spring carnival and a Western Region Academy of Sport basketball scholarship holder.

The Cultural Award, presented by Cr Tony Wallace went to the Young Theatre Company, who has been providing entertainment to the town and surrounding districts for over 30 years.

They perform musical theatre, stage plays, pantos and comedy sketches with a surmountable array of costumes and characters on display.

Dubbed the “ultimate community minded Aussie citizen”, Barry Matthews took out the Individual Community Service Award.

For many years he’s assisted the Bribbaree community in various ways, such as helping the Bribbaree Showground Trust, Bribbaree Show Society, Bribbaree Pony Club and Tubbul Campdraft.

His community spirit has seen him lend a helping hand to those in times of need, including helping the Potbury family clean up when 520 of their sheep drowned in floodwaters in 2012.

Barry was also among the group of people who helped Bribbaree Pony Club and Tubbul Campdraft build a new arena at the Bribbaree Showground.

This year’s Business of the Year was steel fabrication business MA Steel, which saw John Coulter take the reigns as owner 11 years ago.

Ever since he has keenly supported local organisations, events and initiatives, including the Starry Nights Film Group,  Bribbaree and Young shows, Young Pony Club Camp, and a number of sporting clubs and events.

John has fundraised for the community himself, cycling across Australia in 2013 and raising $54,000 to the Young Maternity Ward, McGrath Foundation and beyondblue.

Darren Green was mayor Brian Ingram’s choice for this year’s Mayoral Award, for his involvement in the planning, coordination and execution of many fundraisers, public infrastructure projects and efforts to help those less fortunate.

He was described as an outstanding member of the Young community who has earned him the respect of family, friends and associates throughout the area. 

“Darren does what he does behind the scenes, he doesn’t seek to be on the podium,” Cr Ingram said yesterday.

“His can-do attitude, personal demeanor and cheerful grin has enthused, encouraged and enriched all who have had the pleasure of his company and of his involvement. 

“It’s about recognising we live in an inclusive community, and that sometimes people need to be recognised for being a cog in a much larger machine.

“For without small cogs, even a large machine cannot function,” he said. 

“Australia is indeed the lucky country, but not for the reasons many may perceive as fortuitous. It is lucky because it is full of Australians, Australians like Mr Darren Green.”

Dareen said giving to the community was something we do not consciously all of the time.

“[I] look out among the crowd and see many other people who should be standing up here, but unfortunately not everyone can get an award, but this community is a fantastic place to live,” he said.

“I like to do things in the background, but once in a while it’s nice to stand up here, I didn’t realise I was such a good bloke until Brian read out all those nice things, so thank you all very much.”

Related coverage on Australia Day 2016:

Australia Day 2016 | Photos

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