People packed into the Upper Hunter Shire Council Chambers for the Scone  Australia Day ceremony with another full house later in the afternoon at Aberdeen Sport and Recreation Club. 

Great turnouts were also reported at Merriwa and Murrurundi, where the ceremonies were also complimented by games, barbecues, novelty events and cricket matches. 

The essence of Australia Day was captured with the people, as they are the ones who make our Upper Hunter Australian community. 

Several high achieving and generous people were recognised through a nomination for an Australia Day award or being named the overall winner of that award.

Attendees were also spoilt as they had the opportunity to be inspired by some of the most proactive and motivating people in Australia in the three Australia Day Ambassadors that visited the shire. 

Murrurundi residents had the chance to meet the Founder of Surfrider Foundation and National Ocean Care Day Brad Farmer, Merriwa residents were visited by ABC Radio presenter John Clarke and Scone and Aberdeen residents heard from the Founder of the Benjamin Andrew Footpath Library Sarah Garnett. 

Being no stranger to the Upper Hunter, Mrs Garnett had visited in previous years as the ambassador in Merriwa and said she was very proud and honoured to be back in Scone. 

Mrs Garnett spoke about the work she has done creating the library concept for homeless people in Australia which now includes more than 100 libraries in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth providing new and second hand books as gifts to those less fortunate. 

She said the idea of the libraries are to prove that you don’t need an address to join a library and you don’t need money to buy a book.

Speaking on Australia Day, Mrs Garnett said she believes it is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of family, the family you live with and the family of the community you live in. 

In his address to the crowd, Upper Hunter Shire mayor Michael Johnsen said we come together on Australia Day because we honour being able to participate in this wonderful country and the Upper Hunter. 

Cr Johnsen congratulated all the Australia Day award nominees and thanked the nominators. 

“At council, we value and appreciate everything everyone does in the community,” he said. 

The winners were:

Aberdeen

Citizen of the Year - Frank Heap

Young Citizen of the Year - Kate Lloyd

Community Group of the Year - Upper Hunter Museum of Rural Life

Merriwa

Citizens of the Year - John and Elaine Sparrow

Young Citizen of the Year - Isaac Austin

Achiever of the Year - Clancy Martin

Community Group of the Year - Merriwa Red Cross

Sustainability in Business - Merriwa IGA

Environmental Achievement - Mark and Peter Campbell

Murrurundi

Citizen of the Year - Carolyn Farrow

Young Citizen of the Year - Brittnee Hyde

Sportstar of the Year - Stephanie Mostyn

Young Sportstar of the Year - Emily Bramley

Community Group of the Year - King of the Ranges

Special Award for a Quiet Achiever - Warren Bramley

Special Award for Environmental Achievement - Pages River Warriors

Scone

Hunter McLoughlin Citizen of the Year - Muriel King

Young Citizen of the Year - Kirsten Smith

Sportstar of the Year - Tracey Warner

Young Sportstar of the Year - Campbell Jones

Community Group of the Year - Scone and District CWA

Overall Upper Hunter

Upper Hunter Shire Citizen of the Year - Frank Heap

Upper Hunter Shire Young Citizen of the Year - Kirsten Smith