Delungra residents made the most of the shade as they gathered together for a very warm Australia Day at Anzac Park. The ceremony followed a small street parade with a fire engine and classic cars.

The crowd cheered as Lynda Atkinson was named Citizen of the Year for her drought relief and community efforts. Lynda has co-ordinated the delivery of approximately drought relief packages alongside the CWA and Life Foundations, helped organise a Myall Creek ‘forget about the drought’ night and run a ‘women with dignity’ handbag drive.

She is still working hard to help her community and is busy organising a new drought drive for February.

Myles Williams was named Young Citizen of the Year for his long list of sporting achievements, including nominations into zone for cross country, athletics, rugby league, soccer and tennis as well as regional cross country and athletics.

Russell Cohen was honoured for his commitment to establishing trees in the proposed Poets Park, awarded the Delungra Australia Day Environment Award. Inverell Shire mayor Paul Harmon said Russell was very dedicated in water and caring for the trees each weekend, given the difficult drought conditions. Neither Russell or Myles were available to collect their awards on the day.

An Inverell RSM Pistol Club representative was pleased to receive the Community Event of the Year Award for the National Small Bore and Field Pistol Championship, held in March. There are 74 members in the club ranging from 12 to 80 years old, and the three day event drew 45 competitors from all over the country.

The Sports Award went to the Delungra Women’s Bowls Pennant Team, who won the East Gwydir 2018 Pennant Competition. They were also runners up in the regional competition, just half a point away from first place.

Cathryn Skinner and William Campbell were the winners of the town’s 2019 colouring competition, with Logan Carter and Kimberley Wilson named runners up.