SHIRLEY Hazell is the 2015 Gloucester Citizen of the Year.
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Hundreds gathered at Billabong Park on Monday for the traditional cooked Australia Day breakfast prepared by the Gloucester Lions, Rotary and Quota clubs and the CWA.
While rain threatened the ceremony proceeded unhindered with Australia Day ambassador, musician Judy Stone, delivering a stirring address before launching into song.
Four students from Gloucester High kicked-off the official proceedings with renditions of Waltzing Media, I Am Australian and I Still Call Australia Home before the presentation of the 2015 Australia Day school colouring-in awards.
The winners of the Australia Day shop window displays were announced by Australia Day committee member Helen Parsons with the NRMA and Gloucester Pharmacy taking the two main prizes.
Gloucester Show committee received the award for Project of the Year for its efforts during Gloucester’s 100th show in 2014.
Wyatt Hall was named the Young Citizen of the Year for his work with the Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Group and young people with a disability.
Mrs Hazell was recognised for her years of service to the Gloucester community, including stints with both primary and high school P and C committees, the Tidy Towns committee and her efforts with the Gloucester Garden Club.
“You can’t believe how delighted I am,” she told the assembled crowd.
“I never thought in a million years I’d be standing here accepting this award.”
Mrs Hazell urged more people to nominate for the awards in the future, saying “so many people in this town deserve to be acknowledged for the effort they put in”.