As the residents gathered under the majestic gum trees and early morning shade in Les Stone Park, not even the unknown vandals who had damaged the new two-week-old flag pole the night before could take the shine off the Australia Day celebrations.

Scouts lived up to their motto of “Be Prepared” by fashioning a replacement pole to fly the Australian flag over proceedings.

Loud applause marked the announcements of the city’s 2008 citizen of the year, Sue Cardwell; young citizen of the year, Dan Collins; and community service award winners, Diana Lewington and Leanne Jenvey, who were congratulated by their 2007 counterparts.

Cr Hanuska, chairwoman of the Wodonga Australia Day committee said she had borrowed from former Australian of the year Dick Smith in determining the values of freedom and mateship were what “encapsulates Australia Day for me”.

“We welcome people from all walks of life,” she said.

“More people become Australians on this day than any other day and why wouldn’t you, on this day in Les Stone Park in Wodonga.”

Guest speaker, member for Benambra Bill Tilley said for him Australia Day was a chance to celebrate what was great about living in regional Australia.

“We are blessed with space and resources,” he said.

“It is a day where we celebrate what makes it great, where we’ve come from, and what we want to build our future.”

Mr Tilley also noted that on the 220th anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival in Sydney Cove, the first name to appear on the new colony’s birth register was that of a young William Tilley, born on April 20, 1787 to his convict mother on board the ship that carried them south.

“We are all part of something which is bigger than ourselves and we should take the opportunity to look forward to the possibilities to do better,” he said.

“Greatness is not achieved without continued effort.

“As a Border region we should pool our resources in the most efficient manner and voice our concerns on behalf of our community to plan for generational succession.”