Mr Friedlieb, one of the driving forces behind the event's creation in 2009 and chairman for the last six years, recently stood down from the post.

His leadership is partly credited with the cancer fundraiser growing to almost 3000 people participating last year.

In a double celebration, Border Relay For Life won the community group of the year.

"I've been lucky to work with such a strong committee of people who make Relay For Life what it is," Mr Friedlieb said.

"Albury is a fantastic place to live and Australia is a great place to be.

"But for our community to get together and support me in what I do is overwhelming."

Mr Friedlieb's involvement stemmed from family rather than being touched by cancer.

"My family has always been supporters of local charities and sporting organisations and schools," he said.

"I'm lucky enough to say I haven't got a terribly close involvement with cancer.

"But I can appreciate what it does for other families."

He was presented with his award by Albury mayor and past winner of Citizen of the Year, Kevin Mack.

Other nominations were Vicki Gray, Brian Kuehn, Sherylyne Moran, Kevin Burns, Charlie Leaney and Jeff Hogan.

Mr Friedlieb has been replaced as Border Relay For Life chairman by Peter Whitmarsh and Kate Wilkinson with the latter accepting the community group award.

Last year's event at Birallee Park raised more than $400,000 for the Cancer Council.

"It is a nice pat on the back, but you don't do it for the awards, you do it for the community," Mr Friedlieb said.

"The whole event is a huge buzz.

"It is literally an adrenaline rush for 36 hours.

"It's not just the 24 hours we walk, but the organisation six months in advance."

The Australia Day ceremony began with the traditional flag raising ceremony, welcome to country and citizenship service with 55 people including four-year-old twins Sarin and Shaili Talrega and their father Ravi becoming Aussies.

Mica Torre also performed a series of songs for 1000-plus people in attendance.