Oberon mayor Don Fitzpatrick welcomed guests and officials, while local member Paul Toole addressed the crowd, saying Australia Day was an opportunity to reflect on the opportunities on offer in this country.

Oberon’s Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell addressed the audience with her story of growing up overseas and returning to Australia at the age of 18 to attend university to study mathematics.

She is now a senior lecturer in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at The University of Sydney.

Community awards were presented to Oberon Citizen of the Year Barry Webb, Young Citizen of the Year Rebecca Armstrong, Sportsperson of the Year Connor Sherlock, Junior Sportsperson of the Year Giamia

Radice, Sports Teams of the Year Oberon High School/St Joseph’s combined rugby league team and Oberon Public School junior girls hockey team.

The Community Event of the Year was won by the Burraga Annual Sheep Show and Village Fair, Local Legend of the Year was Ian “Buffy” Cunynghame and Posthumous Australia Day Award winner was Mrs Elizabeth MacKenzie.