2019 Australia Day ceremony at Young’s Carrington Park | Photos

Gail has been the president of the Can Assist Young and Boorowa branch since 2009.

Can Assist is a volunteer driven charity which provides financial assistance and personal support to cancer sufferers and their family in country areas of NSW.

Since Gail became president in 2009, the Can Assist branch of Young has raised about $30,000 each year. 

READ ALSO: Australia Day ambassador for Young is Lindy Hou 

The branch was established in 1988 and has raised more than $1 million and assisted 1200 cancer patients. 

Gail said receiving the Citizen of the Year award was a “great surprise”, and thanked the community for its support of Can Assist.

“This is a great surprise but certainly never would have happened without the great committee members I have,” she said.

“We also enjoy support of many community groups.

“We live in a great community. Thanks so much for your support.”

Junior Citizen of the Year went to Young High School Year 11 student Tori Apps.

Ms Apps is an active member of the student leadership team, leading the school in the Young Aboriginal community at various cultural events and celebrations. 

In 2017, Tori was the first female student in the history of Young High School to deliver the Welcome to Country in Wiradjuri language, it was the first time in more than 100 years that the Wiradjuri language had been spoken in front of the Young community.

READ ALSO: Australia Day flashback Friday

Business of the Year was awarded to M & M’s Music Studio and Environmental Citizen of the Year went to local pig farm Blantyre Farms.

Eight people from Young became Australia citizens at the ceremony and a Rural Fire Service Long Service Medal was presented to Henry Nation of Barwang Fire Brigade for 50 years as treasurer.

The Australia Day big breakfast at Carrington Park ran from 7.30 till around 11am and the Rotary Club of Young cooked about 300 sausages, 20kg of bacon and 600 eggs.

Award winners: