THE Australia Day ceremony in Nimmitabel is always a well-attended and enjoyable event.

Hosted by the Nimmitabel Advancement Group at Lake Williams the activities this year start at 8.30am with the Nimmitabel Lions Club members cooking their Great Aussie Breakfast followed by the official proceedings at 9.15am.

The major component of the program each year is the group's Certificate of Community Service, which began in 2005.

Last year's awardees were Noel O'Reilly and Rhonda McCarthy.

Both play a significant role in the Nimmitabel community and their work did not go unnoticed.

Nimmitabel Advancement Group president, Vickie Pollard, said recently Noel O'Reilly and Rhonda McCarthy were shocked when they received the award last year as "they are both community members who work under the radar, they do what they do and never expect any recognition".

In Rhonda's case she received the award in 2024 for many reasons; her involvement in various activities at a community level were highlighted in Ms Pollard's speech, before she was presented with her award in 2024:

"Rhonda’s dedication to the Nimmitabel community and village may have gone under the radar over the years, but, like many volunteers, she has dedicated many hours of her time to help various community groups and residents within the village.

"Rhonda McCarthy has served the Nimmitabel community as a volunteer in many ways:

• Rhonda McCarthy has been a member of the Nimmitabel RFS for many years and to the best of my knowledge Rhonda was the first female deputy for the Nimmitabel Brigade.

• Rhonda is always looking out and caring for our elderly community members in the village, whether it be gardening or travelling to doctor’s appointments. She is also a volunteer helper, who, on a roster basis with other community members, supply and serve lunches and afternoon teas for the senior citizens in our village.

• Rhonda is a member of the Nimmitabel Garden Club and often helps with the school gardens.

• Rhonda is also a member of the local fishing club and helps stock all the local rivers each year.

• Rhonda is a volunteer helper at the Nimmitabel Lions Club annual wood drive and is in the background helping with the chainsaw events at the Nimmitabel Show.

• Rhonda has been a member of the Nimmitabel Cemeteries Volunteer Group for well over 10 years and has played an important role in grave mapping at both cemeteries.

"Volunteers are and always will be a community’s greatest asset. Rhonda McCarthy is an individual who is always prepared to 'be there' for others when needed and her enthusiasm and dedication for her local community and her support to those who need a helping hand place her high on the list of residents who deserve to be recognised for their community service."

Similarly, the Certificate of Community Service presented to Noel O’Reilly was due to his selfless involvement in community, always helping when he can.

"Noel O’Reilly has contributed to various groups and organisations in Nimmitabel over many years. He has given selflessly huge amounts of hours and energy to help make our village a better place to live in," Ms Pollard said at the 2024 ceremony.

"Noel has been a long-standing member of the Nimmitabel Rural Fire Brigade for around 10 years and has served many roles including fire captain.

"Our communities rely on the skills and dedication of the volunteers of the RFS to protect them in an emergency. Volunteers, like Noel participate in a variety of training activities and many of the skills learnt are skills for life. This shows true commitment and Nimmitabel is very lucky to have volunteers like Noel O’Reilly in our Rural Fire Service.

"Noel was always looking out for the youth in our community and was a very much involved parent of the 1st Nimmitabel Cub Scout Group for many years, hosting with his wife, Joan, some unforgettable bonfire nights for the cubs and was a parent volunteer at the Scouts Annual Camps at Tathra.

"Noel also initiated and held Karate classes for the youth in our community, teaching them discipline and self-defence, which became very popular, and at times having more than 20 students.

"Noel is a member of the roads committee for the Nimmitabel Advancement Group and is a great advocate for our rural road maintenance and repairs, working with SMRC.

"Noel O’Reilly is an inspirational role model for the community of Nimmitabel and the Australia Day Community Service Award is an honourable way to recognise Noel’s outstanding contributions he has made over the past years to the local community."