With the Jail Break Fun Run setting the pace early on, crowds gathered in the Junee Recreation and Aquatic Centre for the official ceremony.

Mayor Neil Smith spoke of Junee's community spirit and kindness in the wake of bushfires which tore through much of the region recently.

He said the town had always shown resilience, sharing his poem on the 2006 bushfires of Junee with the audience before moving on to awards.

After bated breath from nominees on stage and their supporters in the crowd, the 2020 Citizen of the Year honour was awarded to Maria Turner.

Mrs Turner has contributed to the town in more ways than one but one of her most recent and notable projects was securing a $200,000 grant for a new adventure playground that would cater for children of all needs and abilities.

She continues to dedicate her time to the upkeep and organisation of the Athenium Theatre, and plays a significant role in the running of the Junee Show, as well as giving 20 years of service to Junee Area Landcare Network and contributions to the tennis club.

"I'm in shock still I think, I can't quite believe it," she said.

"People say it's a surreal moment and it really is, I understand that now."

With her new title, Mrs Turner has a few plans in the works to benefit Junee.

"We've got to get the building of the playground underway now and also on the radar to do with Landcare is dealing with some leftover funds from a long time ago," she said.

"We've earmarked that to put a bird watching area in Junee.

"The location is yet to be determined but it is an area where there have been various bird sightings and we hope to turn that into another tourism opportunity for Junee."

Junee's Australia Day ambassador for 2020, Valerie Parv AM, assisted with handing over the awards and spoke of the town's warmth and friendly faces.

"It really is the best Australia Day I have had," she said.

"But then again they say that every year for the Olympics too, events like this are always getting bigger and better."

For the second year in a row the town embarked on a novelty pool relay race where teams from the council, community groups and the Youth Council - who took out the win - raced with blowup pool toys down the length of Junee Aquatic Centre's pool.

This year also had the added addition of a watermelon eating competition during the relay where hands were strictly out of play.

Anna Lashbrook had one simple tactic in mind to get her team across the finish line.

"Beat everyone else," she said.

"But really it has been an awesome day as always everyone is having a laugh and taking the mickey out of each other and themselves so we all go in and put our egos aside and have a great time."

Each year on Australia Day the GEO Group hand out a number of Youth in Focus scholarships with Junee's 16-year-old Sunny Zhao taking out the Academic Excellence Recognition Award.

"I wasn't really expecting it but it is cool to have it," he said.

"I still have a whole year to think about what I want to do with the scholarship but I definitely want to do something around Allied Health so this will be a huge help."

People of all ages and from all walks of life spent the remainder of the day cooling off in the pool and hsaring what it means to be Australia with one another.

Full list of award recipients:

It has been Australia's lost summer. Drought, hail, floods and, worst of all, bushfires have ravaged communities all over the nation. But the selfless actions of friends, family, neighbours, strangers, local groups and volunteer organisations have inspired us and strengthened the bonds of community. Please join us in saying thanks to the heroes of the home front by sharing your stories of gratitude. To salute a person or a group, please use the form below.