Mid West Gascoyne communities celebrate Australia Day by acknowledging hard-working residents, new citizens

Mid West and Gascoyne communities put on a show for Australia Day, using the public holiday to praise residents making a difference, and celebrating new citizens.

The Shire of Carnarvon hosted a community breakfast at the Yacht Club, before welcoming five new citizens during the citizenship ceremonies.

Community Citizen of the Year Awards were held shortly after.

Shire president Eddie Smith said all nominees were worthy of the recognition, and there was an outstanding pool to choose recipients from.

“I must say, every single nominee could’ve won — there were some excellent people this year,” he said.

The day was capped off with fireworks which Mr Smith said were the best show he had seen.

Community Citizen of the Year was awarded to Andrea Musulin, Jacqui Britton was awarded Senior Community Citizen of the Year and Carnarvon Speedway was recognised with the Active Citizen of the Year award.

The Shire of Morawa held celebrations on the Friday, recognising their community citizens of the year.

Officer-in-charge of Morawa police Sergeant Nathan Smith received the Community Citizen of the Year award, while Senior Community Citizen of the Year was Johnette Sasse.

Victoria Taylor received the Youth Community Citizen of the Year award, and the Morawa Senior High School Centenary Event received the award for Active Citizenship in a Group or Event.

The Shire of Chapman Valley hosted their events on Thursday due to staffing availability, celebrating their citizens of the year.

Natasha Forrester received the Community Citizen of the Year award, Ella Batten was awarded as the Young Achiever, and Yuna Farm Improvement was awarded Community Group of the Year.

Timika King was awarded Community Member of the Year, while Steve Smith was Volunteer of the Year, Malcolm Smith was named Emerging Leader of the Year and St John Ambulance were recipients of Community Organisation of the Year.

A community-organised event in Kalbarri culminated in a fireworks show, like in Geraldton.

In Geraldton, Kiara Jones won Citizen of the Year, Sabine Angelatos was named Young Citizen of the Year, Yvonne Lovedee the Senior Citizen of the Year and Chapman River Friends was awarded Active Citizenship for a Group of Event.