Henty’s Bernard Clark and Burrumbuttock’s Myrna Frohling were delighted to be declared joint winners of Greater Hume’s greatest Australia Day honour, each recognised for their volunteering records in their respective townships.

“There’s been many wheels and cogs before us and hopefully many more to come,” Mr Clark, 57, said modestly.

“You really don’t expect these sort of things.

“If you look at the community it basically runs on volunteer work - you have to put in to keep the town growing.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Mrs Frohling, 71, said jovially.

“You do it because it’s there to be done.”

Mr Clark has helped with Henty’s camera club, historical society, Rotary club, public school and pre-school committees and the 125th anniversary committee, to name just a few.

Despite his resume, it was with genuine surprise that he accepted the award.

“This is what you call being sprung,” he joked.

“My wife asked 'do you have a speech prepared' and my response was ‘Don’t be daft! Why would I win?’ 

Meanwhile Mrs Frohling, who has lived in Burrumbuttock for 45 years, was recognised for the many groups she is involved with that benefit from her ‘no-nonsense’ organisation and leadership, including the Biggest Morning Tea, Red Cross and Rural Fire Service.

But, she said, while someone needs to be a leader, “without the people who help and support you these things don’t happen” - and for that, she thanked the ladies of Burrumbuttock.

Up to 400 people turned out to yesterday’s celebrations at the Gerogery Public School, starting with breakfast.

The bacon was crackling, the eggs sizzling and sausages popping as volunteers manned the barbeques, with even the school bus driver Kevin Newbold donning an apron and doing his bit.

“It’s the first meal of the day - why not get out there and enjoy being Australia from early in the morning,” he grinned.

Deputy mayor Doug Meyer hosted the official proceedings, featuring performances from the Gerogery schoolchildren and speeches from St Pauls Lutheran College captains James Phelps and Elena Nye-Lederhose, who shared a touching story of her familiy’s story of migration from Germany.

“We have many foreigners taking a leap of faith to come to this country,” she said.

“I can only hope they are welcomed as my family was - why wouldn’t I want their children to have the same opportunities I have.”

The shire’s awards were then presented, with the Holbrook Equine Centre B&S Ball named community event of the year.

The third citizen of the year nominee, Walla’s Ruth Kotzur, did not leave empty-handed - she received the shire’s sports aaward for her involvement with the Walla Ladies Bowling Club and croquet club.

Laura Kane was named young citizen of the year, an honour she credited to “the wonderful opportunities on our back door”.

“Often young people feel they need to go to the big cities to get the opportunities when really, they’re right here,” she said.

Photos

Albury

Greater Hume

Howlong

Kiewa/Tangambalanga

Wodonga

Wangaratta