From volunteers embedded in the fabric of Albury to freshly minted citizens, the city's Australia Day ceremony was a celebration of the people who make up the community and their achievements.
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Marlon Marcos, his son Jacob, 2, and 81 other people become official Australian citizens on the banks of the Murray - a record number for an Albury Australia Day event.
Mr Marcos, a mechanic at Blacklocks Motors, said he had been living in Australia for five years after moving from the Philippines.
He said he was very proud to become a citizen, though a bit nervous ahead of the ceremony.
"I feel part of the community now," he said.
"You are part of Australia now."
His wife, Elma, and 12-day-old son David cheered him on from the crowd.
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Buddhi Majhi, who became a citizen at a previous Albury Australia Day citizenship ceremony, again took to the stage this year having been named Albury's Volunteer of the Year in recognition of his work within the Bhutanese community.
While Joshua Rickard, 22, was named Albury's Young Citizen of the Year for his involvement in the headspace youth reference group, and his extensive volunteer work with Aspect School, Carevan, Red Cross, Friends of Nolan House, Yes Unlimited, the Albury and Border Rescue Squad, Country Hope and Make a Wish.
headspace community development worker Bree Cross, who nominated Mr Rickard, said he was extremely deserving.
"You always know Josh is going to be late to a meeting because he'll be coming from another volunteer group," she said.
"He's very, very worthy."
Mr Rickard said it was an honour to win as so many young people were doing so much good in the community and were deserving of recognition.
"I felt like I wasn't doing enough to change the community and make it a better place," he said of his desire to volunteer.
"I saw so many young people already doing that and it was really inspiring to see and I just wanted to be like them and help out and prove to them young people can make a difference."
Lavington Lions member Graham Walker was named Albury Citizen of the Year for his determination to serve his community despite his degenerative muscular condition, but was unable to attend.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
