MOTHER Nature turned on a cold and windy day for Bombala’s Australia Day celebrations on Saturday but it was unable to dampen the warm community spirit as the town hailed its finest citizens and welcomed visitors to its midst.
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In an emotional-filled moment, Bombala Mayor Bob Stewart named Sidney Manning, better known as Jim, as the town’s 2014 Citizen of the Year.
With Mr Manning battling melanoma and unable to attend the ceremony, his award was accepted by his brother Barry.
Clarra McKinnell was named Young Citizen of the Year while Keiren Rodwell took out the inaugural Sportsperson of the Year and Jen’s Old Time Ball was awarded Event of the Year.
The day’s festivities began with a triathlon with a pleasing number of competitors across all age categories.
Shearing captured a large number of entrants from as far as Deniliquin and the NSW strong wool championship also attracted a big crowd.
Following an inspiring Australia Day address in which he described Australia as the best country on earth where nothing was impossible to achieve, Bombala’s 2014 Australia Day Ambassador Jihad Dib tried his hand at shearing – concluding that shearers
definitely earn their keep.
Mr Dib delighted the crowd, saying that he and his wife Erin looked forward to returning to Bombala with their three children.
Woodchop entries were down this year because of other chopping events on the day, however, the chips were flying throughout the day and provided some exciting cutting for spectators.
A new feature this year was Laser Tag which provided those who took part many thrills.
• Carol Badewitz was the winner of the photo competition and now has her photo entered in the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Katrina Brownlie was the lucky winner of the chest freezer donated by Bombala Electrical, Donna Seach won the ute load of wood and Rocky Badewitz won the $100 gift voucher kindly donated by Garden Gadgets.