Walcha celebrated a wet Australia Day indoors this year at the Walcha Central School multipurpose centre.
The Lions Club of Walcha sold more than 220 cooked breakfasts to a hungry mob while the local Sing Australia group and bush poet Gordon Edmonds provided entertainment.
Lance Partridge ran games for the children outdoors as the Walcha Light Horsemen raised the flag on the hall stage and all those inside sang the National Anthem.
Anglican Vicar Keith McPherson gave thanks before the president of the Walcha Australia Day committee, Brian Sweeney, officially welcomed everyone.
Mayor Bill Heazlett then introduced the Australia Day Ambassador Ann Snell, a young Sydney Indigenous Art Gallery owner, who said that while the last year had been hard for her family, Australia Day helped her realise that city people and country people are in it together.
“Australia is still a place where an individual can work towards his or her dream and eventually succeed,” she said.
It was then time for the best part of the day according to master of ceremony and deputy mayor Kevin Ferrier.
“The awards presented today are based on nominations submitted by the community,” he began before announcing the recipients of the Walcha Australia Day Awards.
“We thank the community for their continued support of the nomination process.
“The committee appreciates that there is a lot of work that goes into preparing a nomination.
“These nominations are kept for at least four years so if a person is re-nominated reference can be made to the original nomination.”
Kate Hoy received the most prestigious award of the Walcha Australia Day celebrations, when she was announced as the citizen of the year.
Well known to everybody in the Walcha community, Kate’s achievements are many and
varied.
Over the years Kate has been involved with Camp Quality, was an active member of the St Patrick’s Parents and Friends and was involved with the Walcha Central School Parents and Citizens Association during her children’s schooling years. Kate was instrumental in setting up the Youth Club Hall and running it until management was taken over by the Walcha Show Committee.
Until recently Kate has been heavily involved with the St Patrick’s Church community, taking on many positions and filling in whenever needed with Church duties.
Kate is currently treasurer of the Walcha Historical Society, having been an active member for 20 years.
Kate fills the essential role of coordinator for Meals on Wheels and also makes deliveries when volunteers are not available.
A deep involvement with the Cancer Council Relay for Life in Walcha ensured Kate was a major contributor to the effective fund raising event that took place.
Kate also fills the role of president of the Walcha Hospital Auxiliary and puts many hours and much energy into this position.
A member of the Walcha Food and Wine Festival, Kate organised the craft activities
display. Kate was active involved with the Royal Far West Committee in Walcha in the 1980s and also worked with her daughter Wendy to help raise money for the Heart Foundation 1989.
In 1990 her daughter Wendy Hoy received the Australia Day Junior Citizen of the Year Award in recognition of the large amount of money raised.
Kate can often be seen at a fund raising street stall during all types of weather and always contributes very much-needed items.
Turn to page 2 to see the other winners and their nominations.
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