Locals gathered to enjoy an Aussie breakfast and entertainment before listening to Narelle Campbell's tales from an Antarctic station and learning who would be recognised as our local heroes for 2020.

Banjoman Howard Greenwood, bush poet Gordon Edmonds, the Walcha Singers, and Destiny Dance students Tayla Carter and Phoebe Imberger entertained the crowd, and then the Walcha Australia Day award recipient announcements were made.

This year there was also a new category announced for the environmental citizen or organisation of the year and Suzie Harrison was recognised for her efforts to help clean up the environment and fundraise.

By collecting bottles and cans at functions to put through the return and earn scheme, Mrs Harrison raised $1359 to donate to the Walcha Support Group. She also collects tea bag labels and plastic bread tags for charities which use them to help buy wheelchairs.

Aged 99 years and 22 months Mavis Dunn was named the towns oldest citizen.

Walcha's strongly supported sporting community was on show with the announcement of the senior and junior recipients - both excelling in very different disciplines.

Lachlan Brown was named senior sportsperson of the year for his contribution to both Walcha Rugby Union and Rugby League as well as participation in local squash and indoor hockey competitions. Mr Brown has also played for Central North Rugby Union on numerous occasions and selected and played for NSW Country.

Junior sportsperson of the year Anastasia Haling excels in the equestrian and athletics arena at a State level and also volunteers at interschool horse events where she performs many duties and helps with preparation before events as well as judging for up to six hours at a time.

The committee behind the Walcha Rural Women's Gathering was named the Walcha Australia Day organisation of the year.

The committee was formed in 2018, and they submitted a successful bid to host the '2019 NSW Rural Women's Gathering' - a brave move as they had a short time frame to stage an event aimed to bring women from all over NSW to come together in Walcha to support, connect, be inspired, empowered and resilient.

The multi-talented Tayla Carter is Walcha's young citizen of the year. Miss Carter was chosen for her exemplary application of science and dance skills.

In 2019 Miss Carter was the Rotary National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) Walcha representative and role model for other students wishing to be selected for the NYSF in 2020 - she was also dux of Walcha Central School.

A confident person who goes above and beyond with her research and willingness to help others, she is also a very talented dancer and choreographer who is an inspiration to the younger students at Destiny Dance studio.

Quiet achiever, Brian Smith was announced as the Walcha citizen of the year for contributing valuable support locally and using his business resources to do community work swiftly, and quietly.

Mr Smith, the proprietor of Brian Smith Timber Transport, provides a range of assistance to the Walcha community when it is in need and does it without expecting anything in return. He has supported the Walcha Golf Club, the Walcha Showground and the Walcha Racecourse.

After the devastating storm in December 2018, he was quick to offer assistance to make roads passable so that people could return to their homes. A recipient of the Lions District Governors award, Mr Smith, has also received the Helen Keller Lions Award and Lions International Appreciation Award. He is a keen supporter of the local union and league football teams, he supports all pony camps, all rough rides and all camp drafts held at the Walcha showground and he helped repair a bridge on Thunderbolts Way.

Mr Smith declined the opportunity to make an acceptance speech following the announcement but afterwards told the Walcha News he was very surprised by the award and attributed his strong community service values to the example set by his deceased father.

Walcha Australia Day committee chair and breakfast emcee Aurora Reilly said the breakfast was an opportunity to come together as a community with family and friends to celebrate Australia Day and recognise some of the citizens who have made an exceptional contribution.

"The theme for this Australia Day is 'Everyone, Every Story' and we have some great stories to share about our local community," she said. "Our Australia Day ambassador Narelle Campbell also gave a wonderful presentation, which was very relevant and important for our community."

Earlier Ms Campbell had spoken of the importance of every member at her Antarctic station saying not one member was more important than another, and everyone was essential in making the community thrive.