Residents turned out in force for the Australia Day celebrations at Spider Brown Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Walgett Shire Mayor Peter Waterford said about 300 people joined them in what he termed a multicultural community event.
“The proceedings went really well, I’m glad so many people turned up from not just Lightning Ridge, but also Walgett and Collarenebri,” Cr Waterford said.
After his initial introduction and the national anthem sung by Patrick Small, ambassador Alan Whelpton addressed the audience and spoke about his experiences living in Australia, and of that in the Surf Life Saving Association.
Seven awards were presented on the day, with Lightning Ridge resident Trudy Mallouk receiving the citizen of the year award for her tireless work with the Olympic pool committee.
Other awards went to Charlotte Pitt for junior citizen of the year and George Rose and George Bradley who were both awarded senior citizens of the year.
Paul Bradley was named as the senior sportsperson, while James Mitchell took out the junior award in this category.
Cr Waterford said this year a new award was introduced for volunteer of the year, to coincide with last year’s international theme.
Two awards were handed out under this banner, with the first received by two Collarenebri residents, Joan Simpson and Beverley Hobbs.
Neil Campbell of Walgett was recipient to the other award.
Cr Waterford said all nominees were presented with a certificate to show appreciation for the work they had done within their communities.
He said the day marked one of many celebrations with five people partaking in a naturalisation ceremony to become Australian citizens.
“It was good to see a multitude of flags, they symbolise multiculturalism and also mark the Year of the Outback.”
Cr Waterford said Alan Whelpton had been chosen as the shire’s ambassador because he was an applicant who had continuously and specifically wanted to be an Australia Day ambassador at a country location.
Saturday’s celebrations were not just a formal procedure, but also included entertainment by local musician’s Vaughan Bell and Graham Henry.
Last year’s Australia Day celebrations were held in Collarenebri.
Cr Waterford said he wanted to thank all the workers who set up the stage and marquee, especially Herman Kreller and Natalie Dunstan who spent a lot of time preparing the program for the day.
“It is because of all the people who helped set up and prepare the event that’s it been so successful,” he said.
Celebrations committee, spokeswoman Natalie Dunstan said planning for the event had started three months ago.
“We very much wanted a community focus so everyone could feel included,” she said.
Ms Dunstan said the committee had only just been formed and this was the first year where it had played a major part in the preparations for the Australia Day celebrations.
“Everyone on the committee has been very supportive.”
She said at present all members on the committee were Lightning Ridge residents, but they were looking at incorporating representatives from Walgett and Collarenebri.
“Hopefully we can make next years’s celebrations even better than this year’s,” she said.
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