Trangie’s record-breaking temperature of 47.3 degrees Celsius was no deterrent to the crowd that gathered at the local bowling club on Monday, January 26, to join in the Australia Day celebrations organised by our very own Trangie Action Group.

The event was an important opportunity to acknowledge and applaud the contribution made to the community by a number of local identities.

Following an Aussie-style dinner of lamb, chicken or beef rolls with gravy, Trangie Action Group President Terrie Milgate welcomed guests and extended her thanks to the group members whose efforts throughout the year had resulted in the successful completion of several projects designed to benefit the community.

Renowned sports commentator Geoff Mann, with his experience and vast knowledge of sport, proved to be an apt choice as Ambassador for this sport-loving community.

Geoff, in his address, commented on the resilience of the Australian character and the manner in which this resilience complemented our love of sport, citing local sporting heroes as examples of the "can-do" attitude that is so much a part of the Aussie character.

A surprise guest was Narromine’s Ambassador, Susie Elelman AM, author, fashion model and TV presenter, whose family survived the Holocaust to make Australia their forever home.

In this, her 27th year as an Australia Day Ambassador, Susie maintains her passion for regional and rural Australia and her acknowledgement of ‘unity’ as an essential ingredient in ‘community’.

Award winners recognised at the event included:

• Citizen of the year: Terrie Milgate

• Senior Citizen of the Year: Kathleen Bennett

• Sportsperson of the Year: Adam Bond

• Young Sportsperson of the Year: Kate Hoey

• Young Citizen of the Year: Tawhiao Selway

• Event of the Year: 2025 Trangie Truck and Tractor Show

As the evening drew to a close, Terrie again thanked all those who had braved the heat to attend. Special thanks were extended to award winners for the contribution each of them had made to their community and a presentation was made to the Ambassadors before the traditional watermelon, lamingtons and cream puffs made an appearance.