But that didn’t ruin what turned out to be a beautiful evening shared in the company of the Nambucca’s best, brightest, and most giving.

The night felt like a celebration of the dedication of our local women, with the three citizenship awards being taken out by three very special ladies: Irene Rowsell, Frances Robinson and Molly Langley.

That feeling was accentuated further as our top birds, mayor Rhonda Hoban and Melinda Pavey MP, welcomed our (local) Australia Day ambassador, Karly Lane.

The amazing female force – Raylene Ballangarry – gave an inspired Welcome to Country in which she articulated the unique native gifts this land has given us and which enrich our lives and culture daily.

Local State Member Melinda Pavey’s warm address was laced with nuance as she reminded everyone of the plurality of ways people experience our national day.

“Australia Day does mean many different things to everybody, but I think there’d be one thing that joins us all here tonight and it’s that we are very very proud Australians and we do appreciate how lucky we are and what a beautiful country we live in,” Mel Pavey said.

“And while us politicians don’t always get it right, at least you can have a say and not get your head chopped off; we have a beautiful democracy that lets everyone run free.”

Karly gave a rousing speech with a beautifully local flair in which she highlighted the many community-fought achievements from 2017 including the new Macksville Hospital, which is scheduled to be started this year.

”To be invited to be an ambassador for something is always special,” Karly Lane said.

“But to be an ambassador for something you truly love is even more so.

“Australia Day is a day set aside every year to celebrate being Australian; to remind us all to stop and think about just how far we’ve come in such a short time and how far we have yet to go.

Karly praised the work of our shire’s 355 community groups and committees who strive daily against sometimes insurmountable odds to make our Valley a better place.

“To me our little Valley represents how great Australia can be when we all work together,” she said.

One of the people who embodies these values is Garry Johnson, who after some 28 years will step down from the Australia Day Committee –he was recognised and thanked by the mayor for his efforts.

Irene Rowsell, our 2018 Citizen of the Year, is another local exemplar.

Irene unfortunately couldn’t receive her award in person due to a sudden turn of ill health. 

Despite personal health concerns, Irene has tirelessly campaigned on behalf of the Nambucca Valley Cancer Support Group to drastically improve cancer services in our local area.

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Minna Tyler, Gavin Jones and Derek Archibald joyfully became the Nambucca’s newest citizens in an affirmation ceremony, to rapturous applause.

And the awards ended in a traditional cake-cutting and supper complete with Anzac Cookies and a cuppa.

Congratulations to our incredibly deserving recipients for 2018:

FRANK PARTRIDGE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

Jacob James of Nambucca Valley Christian Community School

SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY BY AN INDIVIDUAL

Robert Crisp, Donna Collins, David Ainsworth, John Nebauer, Rod Edwards, Robyn Kennedy, Ken Capell

SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY BY AN ORGANISATION

Nambucca Heads Returned Services League, Nambucca Valley Garden Club, Community Transport

GOOD NEIGHBOURS

Jack Reibel, Robert and Lynese Carline, Paul Duncombe

SPECIAL AWARD ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

William “Scotty” Gemmell

JUNIOR SPORTS PERSON - FEMALE

Matiese Trisley

JUNIOR SPORTS PERSON - MALE

Brodie Moore

JUNIOR SPORTS TEAM

Bowraville Junior Rugby League Under 16s

SENIOR SPORTSPERSON – MALE

Wayne Thomson

SENIOR SPORTSPERSON – FEMALE

Melissa Legend

SENIOR SPORTS TEAM

Macksville Falcon’s Touch – Women’s Under 20s

YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Molly Langley

SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Frances Robinson

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Irene Rowsell