Bombala Shire presented its Australia Day awards on Saturday afternoon at Delegate Showground.
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In his opening address, Mayor Bob Stewart said the Bombala Shire first started presenting Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards in 1981, but this year’s had particular significance.
“This is possibly the last time Bombala Shire Council will be presenting the awards as Bombala Shire,” he said referring the the state government’s proposed council merger.
Cr Stewart introduced Bombala’s Australia Day ambassador, award-winning journalist and television presenter Frank Coletta.
The 2016 Citizen of the Year award was presented to Ian Sellers, Young Citizen of the Year went to Sam Dyer, while athlete Bailey Jones was awarded Sportsperson of the Year.
Mr Sellers received his award for his great contribution to the community.
He was the president of the committee overseeing the re-enactment of the Men from Snow River March in Bombala and Delegate and liaising with other representatives along the route.
Mr Sellers is also the president of the Delegate Progress Association, a volunteer group that organises community events and services for the rural community.
Among Mr Sellers’ other achievements is being involved with the Currowong Bushfire Brigade, the Currowong/Wallendibby/Tombong Landcare group and the Delegate Pastoral and Agricultural Society.
He has also contributed his time to sporting clubs including the junior rugby league Bombala Blue Heelers as a coach and referee, the Delegate Fishing Club and the Delegate Tennis Club.
Mr Sellers was both modest and emotional accepting his award and thanked all the volunteers that had assisted him, his family and friends.
The 2016 Young Citizen of the Year Sam Dyer was away on the day so his father accepted the award on Sam’s behalf.
Sam is well known in the Bombala community for his work with the annual Bombala Bike Show.
He is also involved in community activities groups including the Contact Centre and the Scooter Club, while recently he co-directed and produced a DVD for the Bombala Rotary and Community Choir.
The Community Event of the Year was presented to the Re-Enactment of the Men from Snowy River March.
Committee members put countless hours of work into the Men from Snowy River March that was part of nine re-enactments that took place in NSW.
Prior to the presentation of the Citizens of the Year Award, sports awards were made to numerous sportspeople and clubs.
