Most don’t do what they do to seek any plaudits from the community. That’s not the point of what they do.

It’s because they value the community in which they live, they care for others and so without hesitation put others first.

By their very nature, country communities are often blessed with more people willing to help than in the city.

This can be in any number of different ways.

It might be volunteering as a community bus driver, in working with youth groups, helping maintain the local footy clubrooms or volunteering on match day.

This community spirit could be something as simple as sitting with people in nursing homes who have no family living nearby. It all helps create a more caring, cohesive community, where people are able to support one another in difficult times.

Knowing there are so many people out there is heartening given that rural communities are not immune from those who instead take a selfish approach to life.

That comes in the form of wanton vandalism or committing other stupid acts, often these days on the pretext of taking a “selfie” on their mobile phone.

It is disheartening that there does appear to be a “me” generation out there who put such narcissism ahead of basic decency and respect.

For them, it’s about getting that photo onto social media for some sort of ill-gained notoriety.

Whatever lame excuse they put forward, they should be condemned for such acts. You would hope though that these people are still in the minority, that the acts they commit – it was disheartening, for example, when two people allegedly urinated on Monument Hill for a selfie – don’t truly represent all the good that is done right across the Border community.

Wodonga residents now have the opportunity to make that clear by lodging nominations for the city’s annual citizen of the year awards.

Categories up for grabs again include the citizen, young citizen and community organisation of the year.

As Cr Danny Lowe points out, “these people often don't seek praise or thanks”.

“But they have offered their life skills and their time because they recognise the value of giving.”