She praised the Australian values of “brashness, loyalty and hard work” and credited these ideals for creating a unique society that shined in moments of adversity.

Ms Collings, using a humorous anecdote from her time at Playschool, highlighted the importance of Australians being used to rocky patches, but time and time again, rising above the muck to show kindness, offer help and give care.

Overwhelmingly, Ms Collings said, it is the volunteers who give backbone to communities and give face to the unique Australian character.

Bellingen Shire mayor Mark Troy reiterated these principles but also used the local Australia Day celebration as a stage to focus on the Indigenous population, who he said continued to endure an inequitable standard of living.

Cr Troy also spoke of Australia’s early European history, and gave special mention to Arthur Philip, the first Governor of NSW, for coordinating a successful maritime and settlement program that was unparalleled in nature.

Andrew Fraser, Coffs Harbour MP and Assistant Speaker for the Legislative Assembly, rounded out the occasion with a congratulatory speech to Order of Australia Medal (OAM) winner Nellie Lee.

Mr Fraser juxtaposed Ms Lee’s outstanding service to the community, citing the increasing level of street violence.

“We need to send a message to the minority of those within the community displaying unacceptable behaviour; this will not be tolerated,” he said.

A special moment during the Australia Day ceremony was the voice of Dorrigo resident, Barbara Weaver, whose beautiful rendition of both, national anthem and “I am, You are, We are Australian”, echoed throughout the Memorial Hall.

It was a moving precursor to the citizenship presentation that saw three members of the Bellingen Shire, Ms Poonam Arora, Ms Tamar Dubb and Ms Eva-Joan Ritchie, become Australian nationals.

The Australia Day Bellingen Shire awards were the main event and they did not disappoint.

All the winners, named in the following pages along with their achievements, were impressive examples of either individual success or dedication to the community.

Local Australia Day festivities were also an outdoor celebration with the Maam Gaduying (Meeting Place) Park filled with a jumping castle, fire truck, entertainment tent and the tents and stalls of local clubs and community groups.

The Bellingen Shire Pipe Band was a delightful spectacle as was local legend, Cliff Schofield, who recited an Australian Day poem.

Ms Collings could hardly have escaped the day without judging the children’s fancy bike competition. Quick thinking saw all six entrants win a prize for their designs. 

Australia Day was celebrated traditionally and differently all through the shire, however the sense of kindness and charity was a recurring theme.