An Olympic gold medallist with an inspiring story will help lead Nyngan's Australia Day celebrations this year.
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Debbie Watson OAM, who made her mark in water polo, is the town's Australia Day ambassador.
Ms Watson has been arguably the finest female water polo player that Australia has ever produced.
She became a member of our national team in 1983, and since her career has spanned 17 years at the elite level.
Voted the best player in the world in 1993, Ms Watson has led Australia to a string of World Cup and World Championship victories.
In 1995, she decided to retire from international competition having achieved all of her goals she had set. However, she continued to promote water polo for women and for its inclusion in the Olympic Games.
In 1998, for the first time in history, women's water polo was added to the Olympic program.
This inspired Ms Watson to return to the pool after a three-year absence.
Not only did she return to the pool, regain her spot on the Australian team and be selected for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, but she was also instrumental in the golden result achieved by her team.
Ms Watson has captained Australia, been World and World Cup Champion and has now created history by becoming the first ever Women's Olympic Water polo Champion.
The Olympic gold medallist has also received nominations and awards, such as the Prime Ministerial award for her services to water polo, NSW Sports Women of the Year, NSW Sports Person of the year and Citizen of the Year.
Ms Watson has achieved beyond all of her original goals and has now retired as an elite competitor, and is now currently coaching water polo and teaching Personal Development, Health and Physical Education at Mackellar Girls High School.
She is also continuing successfully with motivational speaking and her role as an ambassador for water polo and women's sport.
The Bogan Shire Council will celebrate Australia Day on January 26 from 8am at the Nyngan Town Hall.
The morning will commence with a free community breakfast, followed by the official awards presentation and citizenship ceremony at 9am.
There will also be free entry to the pool all day, and a barbecue meal deal available from 12.30pm until 2pm.
Hoop shoot and cricket will also be on offer thanks to AGL and the Bogan Shire Council.
