THE Junee Junction Recreation Centre’s stadium was packed on Saturday morning for Australia Day’s official proceedings.
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Residents and visitors of all ages turned out to learn which citizens would be celebrated and hoping to win the $100 random cash draw.
The Australia Day Awards recognised the contribution from some of Junee’s residents.
PICTURE GALLERY: Australia Day in Junee
A founding member of Junee Can Assist, Estella Hyde, said being named Junee’s citizen of the year was an “honour”.
Mrs Hyde is also involved with the Broadway and Roundhouse museums and the Junee Trotting Club Ladies Auxiliary.
“I don’t do it for the recognition, I do it because I enjoy it,” she said.
“You get a lot of satisfaction out of it.”
Mrs Hyde said as a guide at the Roundhouse Museum she was able to meet people from all across the globe and said it was one of the best aspects of volunteering.
Young citizen of the year, Aiden Harrison, was nominated three times.
Mr Harrison developed a program educating young people about mental health by using basketball – the program called Swish Start, was aimed at year 5 and 6 students.
To get Swish Start going Mr Harrison worked to secure the support of local health professionals, schools and council.
Originally getting his inspiration from Pierre Johannessan about how basketball could help people, he hoped the success he had experienced with Swish Start would inspire someone locally.
“It would be amazing if I’ve inspired other students,” he said.
The motivation to develop the program came from watching his friends experience depression and a desire to share his love of basketball.
Set to study psychology in Brisbane next year, Mr Harrison isn’t resting and is headed to China to teach English to university students for four months.
For two decades Julie Shepherd has been involved in Junee soccer, having played more than 300 games, representing at regional and state level.
Mrs Shepherd has supported sport in Junee by volunteering her time to complete jobs which aren’t appealing.
“I get involved with my kids and their sports, and (this) makes me motivated to help out,” she said.
Cameron Hands was awarded the junior sports award.
