Australia Day was an opportunity to celebrate Forbes and all that's wonderful about it, Mayor Phyllis Miller said as she opened weekend activities.
Nominees for our local awards were gathered at Forbes Town Hall for a gala dinner on the eve of Australia Day, on Saturday, January 25.
Mayor Miller OAM began by acknowledging the Wiradjuri people and their continuing connection to this land and water.
"I think we need to be very mindful that we do that," she said.
"It’s not just Australia day I think of this as Forbes’ day, my community’s day, tonight that’s what it’s all about - what you contribute to our community and how very grateful and thankful we are."
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Forbes' Citizen of the Year Maree Yapp, Senior Citizen of the Year Helen Smith and Young Citizen of the Year Annika Dukes were named at Saturday night's dinner.
All nominees were honoured on the night, they were:
Citizen of the Year: Tami Hanley (Stewart); Rosie Johnston; Jack Buckley; Donna Bliss; Tim West; Kim Muffet; and Keith Mullette.
Senior Citizen of the Year: Bob Drinkwater and Freda Drinkwater; Peter Bright and Elaine Bright; Kevin Dwyer; and Lloyd Gerdes.
Young Citizen of the Year: Sam Mackay; Freya Hooper; Grace Barbary; Isabella Brown; and Indrie O'Connell.
Mayor Miller said it was an honour to be nominated - and that she loved hearing each nominee's story each year.
"Your selfless contributions to our community through sport, social, academic, charity and other achievements have made our shire much better place to live in," she said.
"I’m very proud as the mayor of Forbes to lead such a strong, dynamic and multicultural community.
"And you all work so hard to make it thrive. Because without all of you in the room tonight it wouldn’t thrive."
January 26 dawned with the Rotary community breakfast, where hundreds gathered at Lions Park and heard from our Australia day ambassador Ange Clarke (her story, page 4).
Rotary Club of Forbes Ipomoea were our hosts, naming Bedgerabong-born Nedd Brockmann our Rotary Ambassador of the Year for his incredible efforts to raise funds for homelessness. That story to come.
There was free entry to Forbes pool, as well as Eugowra pool, for the day and it was very welcome in the heat.
In Eugowra, official celebrations took place at the bowling club in the afternoon, where Sean Haynes was named Citizen of the Year and Kirbie Mongan Young Citizen.
They had the giant inflatable set up and hosted yabby races, face painting and fun for the kids.
Forbes Shire Council hosted a citizenship ceremony in the afternoon, and hundreds returned to Lions Park in the evening for a picnic dinner and fireworks.
