A “campfire, a glass of red, and a song about a bloke next door” sums up the best of the Australian lifestyle for ambassador Sara Storer.
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The multi-award winning country singer spoke about what being Australian meant to her at the Greater Hume Shire Australia Day event.
“It’s my favourite Aussie thing to do – being around a campfire or a barbecue – it is a unique, iconic Australian gathering of friendship and community,” she said.
“Those moments I’ve had around the campfire, if I haven’t had too much red, that memory stays there for a very long time.
“What Australia Day means, to me, is family, friendship, honestly, longevity, and I was going to say a meat pie and sauce - but I’ll change that this morning to snags on a blanket.”
Hundreds attended the Wymah event and applauded the efforts of community members honoured throughout the morning.
The Citizen of the Year award went to Walla Walla resident Herbert Simpfendorfer for his decades of service to the community, from teaching for 33 years to volunteering with Meals on Wheels.
Mr Simpfendordfer was shocked at the honour.
“I really don’t know why I got it, because I have not done as much as many other people,” he said.
“I’ve done things in my small personal way.”
Mr Simpfendorfer said playing music at hospitals and retirement homes across the region once a week was one of his most rewarding achievements.
“I got to hospitals and I play the violin for people that are bedridden,” he said.
“I go and talk to them and play music for them, and I really enjoy that.”
Walla Walla Cricket Club treasurer Craig Wenke, who has volunteered at the club for 40 years, was also modest in accepting the Sportsperson of the Year.
“I’m a bit speechless,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting it, I haven’t had any outstanding achievements in the last couple of years … I guess it was my longevity of being in cricket.
“It’s good for the soul to get away and mix with people.”
The CHACA Morgan Country Car Club and the Holbrook Sheep and Wool Fair were joint winners of the Community Event of the Year.