The ever proud and jolly Australia Day Holiday was no disappointment this year at the Bogan Shire.
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The official ceremony started at 9am, once community members were fed by the highly anticipated barbecue breakfast, served by the Nyngan Tigers Rugby League Club.
Along with the awards and addresses, this year, five people were naturalised and became Australian Citizens.
The Nyngan community stood and took the oath together, following the citizenship ceremony.
Mayor of the Bogan Shire, Ray Donald, used his address to talk about Nyngan in the past and into the future.
He acknowledged the 2016 record harvest for Nyngan, the construction of the Early Learning Centre, the ongoing construction of the medical centre and the improvements on the tip.
Cr Donald said this year the council will be focusing on the roads, looking at rental accomodation for active senior living and encouraging young people with opportunities in the town.
We want to be able to keep it safe for kids to go around and jump in puddles on the street as they have been doing this week.
- Ray Donald
“We also need to keep Nyngan a safe place to live in, we want to be able to keep it safe for kids to go around and jump in puddles on the street as they have been doing this week. Keep the people who live here safe and keep the people who want to come live here safe,” he said.
After the mayor’s address, ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell made a speech, although she was born in England and grew up in France, she’s very proud to call Australia home.
“I’m proud and thankful to be in Australia, the feeling of that openness,” she said.
In the awards, four people were citizens of the year; Haylee Finn, Noelene Walsh, Rowen Cleaver and Stacey Korn.
Two girls won young citizen of the year; Ellie Smith and Rachel Fitzalan.
Junior sportspersons of the year were Harry Blake, Sonny Knight, Alannah Ryan and Mason Rope.
Sportsteams of the year were Bogan Bulls first XV, Junior Tigers under 10s Rugby League and Junior Tigers under 11s netball.
Community event of the year was shared between Duck Creek Races, The Garden Club Christmas Markets and Carols and Nyngan Ag Expo.