It was one of those rare times when Mr Asmus was named as Junee’s citizen of the year on Monday.

“Just to get nominated is an honour. To win it just blew me away,” Mr Asmus said.

“I love this little town.”

Describing himself as a “ground parrot”, there’s few things in Junee which he hasn’t contributed to, whether it’s sporting, education or tourism.

It’s meant Mr Asmus has contributed to a range of things including AgVision, Rhythm ‘n’ Rail, Christmas on Broadway, Junee Soccer Club’s and even the Junee Lions Club, despite not being a member.

The born and bred resident said it was the people that were part of the motivation,

helping out groups and organisations kept the community together and kept it strong.

Mr Asmus said he also supported great ideas from locals.

“You get a bat and you run with it, if everyone does a little bit, it’s not a lot of work,” he said.

As an employee at the Junee Licorice Factory, Mr Asmus said he had a daily opportunity to talk to people about the little town he loves.

“You get to meet tourists and they give us so many accolades, it gives me more enthusiasm to keep working in the community”

“I just throw my hat in the ring and have a go ... or just ring my wife and she’ll volunteer me for something,” he joked.

Mr Asmus was just one of the town’s residents nominated for the award.

Mayor Neil Smith paid tribute to the nine people nominated – one of the highest numbers recorded for the annual awards.

“It never fails to fill my heart and put a lump in my throat when I look around at our gathering each year,” Councillor Smith said.

“I look at the nominees each year and reflect on the individual and the joint efforts that people put in, day in and day out.

“The beautiful thing is, most of us are doing it – not for accolades or rewards – but because we want to.”

THIS will be the final year that high school graduate Ebony Becquet will be in Junee before leaving for university.

Fittingly for Junee’s Young Citizen of the Year, 2015 will be a year for Miss Becquet to continue her community involvement.

“It’s a massive award, there’s so many fantastic young people in our town, so it’s nice to be recognised,” Miss Becquet said.

“You don’t do it for the awards, but it is always nice when someone recognises the hard work you put it.”

Miss Becquet was nominated for her involvement in teaching young children to dance, organising a musical day for young people at the Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival and as a member of Junee’s youth council.

Miss Becquet was a regional winner of Lions Youth of the Year contest.

Last year, much of her community involvement was through Junee High as school captain and contributing to  AgVision.

Having finished the HSC, she aims to be more involved.

“Now that I don’t have the pressure of school, I can get involved in things I wouldn’t have been able to at school.”

It’s also a chance to embrace Junee’s community spirit before leaving for Wollongong.

“I’ll be sad to leave, I have a lot of ties here.”

FOR Sports Award winner Edna Poynter, the pleasure in teaching swimming is seeing the children learn the skill.

Since 1981, Mrs Poynter has been teaching school children and has been active in the Junee Swimming Club as secretary and registrar since 1989.

“It’s being able to see a child grow from only swimming 15 metres, to swimming 50 and then doing laps,” Mrs Poynter said.

Many children will also compete for the swimming club following training.

As well as her local involvement, Mrs Poynter has been a co-ordinator for the South West Swimming Zone and is a technical official and a trainer and assessor for Swimming Australia.

It all started with her own children and while she’s amassed an enviable amount of experience as a coach and administrator, her focus is purely on ensuring Junee children can swim.

“I don’t keep track of the years, there’s always kids that need to learn,” she said. 

Together with her husband Noel, a second generation of children are under the tutelage of the Poynters.

“It’s a nice feeling, I figure we must have done a good job.”

RACING at Menangle during the Interdominon is the dream of junior sports award winner Molly Turton.

While winning races is always welcome, just being able to race for Australian harness racing’s holy grail is an achievement.

It’s a dream which isn’t too far away for the multi-talented sportswoman.

Just some TAFE training and 20 trials are all that stand between her and the professional harness racing circuit, which she hopes to reach this year.

“I’ll keep going with the trotting, and a little bit of sport on the side,” Miss Turton said.

“I want to be racing next to Trevor White and Bruce Harpley.”

Last year, in addition to representing Junee and Australia at an minitrotters invitational drivers challenge in New Zealand, she’s also played junior soccer and netball for Junee.

She’s driven home the winner at the NSW mini-trot championships in 2012, 2013 and 2014 as well as winning the Miracle Mile last year.

Miss Turton has represented both Junee North Public School and the Riverina Anglican College in cricket, basketball and soccer.

Bert Mees

For teaching Junee and Temora youth how to play musical instruments. Long-serving member and contributor to the Junee Town Band.

John Robertson

Currently president of Junee RSL sub-branch, previously a councillor for Junee Shire and delegate to sports committee, involved with junior Australian Rules and volunteering with Legacy since 2005.

Henry “Harry” Thompson

A foundation member of Junee Lions Club, volunteering for 40 years, has taught both primary and secondary students lawn bowls.

Carole Windsor

A member of the Murrumbidgee Magic choir for 20 years, co-ordinator of the Open Kitchen program for past three years.

Desmond Littlewood

Involved with Junee North Public School P&C for 13 years, active member of Anglican Church parish and instrumental in Annie’s opportunity shop operator and president of the Lawson House committee.

Barbara Smith

Volunteered for the Junee Fire Brigade auxiliary for 40 years as well as junior rugby league, tennis and swimming clubs. Community transport driver for four years and operates a voluntary transport service.

Jill Macaulay

For 60 years has contributed through the Country Women’s Association, Junee Arts Council, RFS, community transport, North East Rural Counselling Service, Cooinda Court, NSW Farmer’s Federation and the Junee Reefs and Dirnaseer communities. Junee Shire councillor for 21 years.

Lola Cummins

Junee Shire councillor since 1983, the first woman elected as deputy mayor and mayor. Over 17 years as mayor guided Junee through massive change, seeing major infrastructure projects and upgrades. Contributed to Junee VRA and Riverina Schoolboys Carnival since 1980s.

Jasmine Phillips

Competitor at the NSW All Schools swimming championships, won three medals at the Combined High Schools (CHS) state championships. Broke every record for her age group during Junee High School swimming carnival in 2014.

Tamsyn Scott

Has played cricket for 10 years, and has been selected to be part of the Riverina NSW Cricket Academy and has played in the under 15s country championships and national championships plus the State Cup Challenge. Will play in the CHS state carnival in Nowra this year.