And we also celebrated the work of all the nominees for Singleton’s Australia Day Awards as they are in the words of Abraham Lincoln representing the better angels of our nature.

We also welcomed a new Australia citizen and wished her all the best for her life in the land downunder.

These were special moments for our community and a reason to come together and celebrate what makes our life in Singleton truly liveable.

While the date of Australia Day, may well change in the future, due to our acceptance that the Indigenous community do not wish to celebrate January 26 – a day many of them regard as Invasion Day.

There is no doubt we need a day each year to recognise those special people in our community who make a difference.

This year’s Citizen of the Year Val Smith has been volunteering with many local groups for decades.

The thousands of hours she has given to these groups has made a significant impact on the lives of many. Singleton Hospital and Elizabeth Gates Nursing Home are better places thanks to Val’s dedication.

Fundraising by the two auxiliary groups associated with the hospital and nursing home mean vital equipment has been purchased and year in year out Val has played a vital role in these group’s fundraisers.

Thank-you Val for all your work and please don’t retire anytime soon. 

In her acceptance speech she called on other in the community to step forward and join the volunteer bandwagon.

Also recognised on Australia Day was Branxton’s Pam MacDonald. Pam was awarded a Order of Australia Medal for her years of community service.

Pam has been cooking for Meals and Wheels in Branxton for 40 years and in recent years has added delivering those meals to her monthly volunteering calendar.

In Pam’s words she was only giving up a couple of hours each month so she was not so sure about all this fuss.

But those few hours contribute significantly to her community’s wellbeing. 

So thank-you Pam and like Val you are a marvelous member of our community.