Cobram was the place to be on Australia Day, with two magnificent ceremonies at the Civic Centre.
At 10am Rotary Club of Cobram held the traditional Australia Day awards ceremony in front of a crowd of several hundred.
Club president Rob Love emceed the event, which was attended by Moira Shire Cr Ed Cox and Mayor Peter Lawless.
The event began on an upbeat note, with the Cobram and District Pipe Band opening proceedings.
Further musical entertainment was provided by Nicky Goldsworthy and Paul Lines.
However, the main element of the morning ceremony was the awards.
The Junior Citizen of the Year award was given to Emily Davies, 14, for her efforts to raise awareness and funds for the neonatal intensive care unit.
Her efforts including organising her own fundraiser: Em’s Pedal for Prems. Emily also represented the community in state and national swimming, athletics and triathlon championships.
For Emily, the award came as a shock.
“I feel very fortunate, very lucky. I love coming from such a supportive community,” she said.
Emily studies at a boarding school in Melbourne and by her own admission loves bragging about the wonderful environment that is Cobram.
Cobram Anglican Grammar School student Cadence Pang was named Young Citizen of the Year while the winner of Citizen of the Year was Fred Mustica.
Cobram Barooga Business and Tourism won Community Event of the Year for the Tri State Games and the winner for Community Organisation of the Year was Cobram Community House.
Cobram Community House has been involved extensively in the community for many years with art, educational and training programs. It is also heavily involved in community outreach and runs the popular Chatty Cafe.
Cobram Secondary College won the Arts/Culture/Environment Project of the Year award for its Pedal Empowerment Program.
The program saw students collect and refurbish old bikes so they could provide low-cost transportation while ensuring a low environmental footprint.
College principal Kimberley Tempest said the program was a way for students to simultaneously connect with the community while learning new skills.
“It's a way of empowering our students, upskilling our students, having our students work on their teamwork and emotional regulation skills, problem-solving skills, and then communication in terms of getting them to go and speak to members of the community who are both donating and purchasing those bikes,” Ms Tempest said.
According to Ms Tempest, the school will be expanding the program in the new year to possibly include the refurbishment of old furniture.
At 1.30pm Cobram Civic Centre became a hive of activity, with 20 Moira Shire residents being sworn in as citizens.
The newly minted citizens came from as far afield as India and Serbia and provide the shire with a wide array of skills in health care, agriculture and transport.
Moira Shire Mayor Peter Lawless officiated the ceremony alongside Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell.
Mr Lawless said the day was special and he was often moved by how people felt about becoming a citizen.
Ms Goldsworthy once again provided music for the afternoon event, including a rendition of the Australian national anthem and I am Australian.
Mr Birrell said Australia Day was a time to unite and that Australia was one of the most successful nations on earth.
“It's constantly borne out by liveability and all sorts of factors,” he said.
“And really pleasingly on a day like today, it's borne out by the fact that so many people want to come and join the nation and be part of the evolution of what is a really great country.”
Regarding the new citizens, Mr Birrell had nothing but praise, saying they brought to the community and Australia work ethics and skills Australia needed.
Addressing the new citizens directly, Mr Birrelll said: “Congratulations. I say thank you for coming and joining us.”