A community is only as good as what you put into it, longstanding show society stalwart Max Webb told the 400-plus crowd gathered at Walbundrie on Tuesday.
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The man many refer to as "Mr Keys" was recognised for his outstanding service to the Walbundrie community during Greater Hume Council's Australia Day celebrations.
"Yes, on show day I have a bunch of keys on my hip and pity help anyone who uses them and doesn't put them back," he laughed as he accepted the "surprise" award.
In announcing Murray Jones as Citizen of the Year, MC Steve Bowen said the fact the man himself couldn't be there to accept the honour epitomised the award's true spirit.
"Today, on Australia Day 2021, Murray has organised a fundraising Poker Run for bikes and cars starting and finishing in Holbrook," Mr Bowen explained.
Murray's involvement in the community spans the areas of youth, sport, motorcycles, bushfires and Rotary.
"He was part of the committee that built the extension on the Holbrook Preschool, was a cub scout leader at Holbrook for over 10 years and instigated and ran (with Peter Hogan) Kanga Cricket," Mr Bowen said.
He is a life member of Holbrook Motorcycle Sports Club and in 2019 was recognised for 40 years with the Rural Fire Service.
Murray has served on the committees of the Holbrook Football Club, Holbrook Boating and Angling Club, Billabong Native Fish Restocking Group and as Rotary Club of Holbrook's Community Service Director (initiating the white goods and waste pickup in Holbrook in 2018 and 2019).
He's built chook yards for aged care residents and helped with maintenance of a wing at the hospital.
In 2020, Murray took in 150 head of cattle and horses during the bushfires, delivered hay to fire victims at Batlow and has worked tirelessly on fundraising rides.
In accepting the award for her son, Kathy Jones said "in spite of all his work he still looks after his parents very very well".
Commitment to community was also recognised in the next generations with Daniel Hawkins and Alexandra Toogood named joint winners of Young Citizen of the Year.
From a 10-year involvement with Henty Tennis Club to her role on Greater Hume's youth advisory committee, Alexandra, 17, was hailed a "wonderful example of a young person actively engaging and contributing to her school and community".
The Billabong High School student said Australia Day was a time to remember we were "the lucky country" with the opportunity to "be whatever we want to be".
Daniel, 18, said it was an honour to be recognised in a community that "bands together when times get tough".
His "reliability, commitment and positivity" have become apparent during his time with the RFS, particularly during the Green Valley Bushfire near Albury in 2020.
Daniel's communication skills came to the fore as he manned the radio, providing hourly weather reports and fire updates and proving a great asset to his dad, Group Captain John Hawkins.
Other major honours went to Dr Chevalla Janardhen Reddy (Mayoral Award for Outstanding Achievement) and The Walbundrie Hub (Community Event award).
