The Glen Innes District and Services Club Auditorium was filled with everyone celebrating the Aussie spirit on Australia Day on Tuesday.
After the Australia Day celebrations kicked off in Deepwater, 26 community members in the local area continued the day's proceedings at Glen Innes for the official ceremony.
Guests were entertained by performances from the Abbey's and the Glen Innes Pipe Band.
This year's Australia Day was extra special for both Tiffany Xu and Ellen May Mackenzie as they were nationalised and became Australian citizens at the ceremony.
Master of Ceremonies Jan Lemon announced the winners of the Australia Day awards, as follows:
- Citizen of the Year: John Lee.
- Young Citizen of the Year: Layaleeta Williams-Boney.
- Emergency services Citizen of the Year: Peter Chaffey.
- Environmental Citizen of the Year: Jennifer Coldham.
- Community Event of the Year: Christmas Smoko.
- Volunteer Community Organisation of the Year: RSPCA Glen Innes Branch.
This year saw a total of 20 nominations submitted across all categories. The Australia Day committee was glad to see people nominating, and hope that next year it receives even more nominations.
"Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for the Australia Day awards," Australia Day Committee chair Jan Lemon said.
"Congratulations to all nominees and and the award winners."
