Australia Day ceremony featured inspiration and recognition

Mr Francis, born and raised in Burraga, was recognised for his lifetime spent serving the Burraga and wider Oberon community. 

He joined the Burraga Rural Fire Service as a volunteer at age 13, has served continually since that time, has held the position of brigade captain and is currently group captain, a role he has fulfilled for 30 years. 

Mr Francis is also a long-term volunteer for the Burraga and District Community Association and Burraga Ag-Bureau and served as a councillor on Oberon Council for eight years. 

He was a council delegate to the Upper Macquarie County Council for eight years as well as being the council delegate to the RFS.

After the traditional community smoko last Friday, mayor Kathy Sajowitz welcomed guests to the official celebration.

Cr Sajowitz said all nominees should be proud of their achievements and their contribution to the community makes Oberon a better place to live for future generations.

"It never ceases to amaze me when I look at what our community members are achieving on a personal level and how much these achievements influence the spirit that is Oberon," she said.

Australia Day Ambassador Sam Cawthorn spoke about overcoming a car accident where he lost his right arm and suffered a permanent disability in his right leg.

Mr Cawthorn's mother was from India and his father from Scotland and they had 11 children who grew up on the family farm in Tasmania.

"I'm Australian and I live by the motto ‘she'll be right, mate’, just as my father did,” he said.

In 2007, Mr Cawthorn established Be Motivated, a program that aims to give young people skills to improve their confidence, self-belief and positivity.

​"I thank the Oberon community for their hospitality. It's been an awesome visit to a beautiful town," he said.

Other nominees for Citizen of the Year were Michael Gibbons, Tim Charge and Lynn Agland, who did not accept the nomination.