A large group of Jamestown residents gathered in Memorial Park to celebrate Australia Day last week.

After a big breakfast, commencing at 7:45am, the crowd gathered to watch Chairman Allan Woolford present the council’s awards.

Mr Woolford welcomed the crowd and said that Australia Day was a great opportunity to celebrate the individuals and groups who make communities successful.

Recent Order of Australia Medal recipient and Jamestown resident, John Hector, was congratulated for his achievements.

The Jamestown Flying Group were the recipients of the Northern Areas Council Event of the Year award, for the 2009 Fly-In and Air Spectacular.

The Jamestown Fly-In and Air Spectacular attracted close to 14,000 spectators over two days, drawing people from all over the State, from around the nation, and even a couple of guests from overseas.

President of the Jamestown Flying Group, Robin Dawson, accepted the award from Mr Woolford on behalf of the group, and spoke about the hard work that all volunteer involved had put into the two-day event, held in October 2009.

Mr Dawson said the sixth tri-annual event had brought significant economic benefits, not only to Jamestown, but to the whole region, with accommodation booked out from Clare through to Port Augusta.

Mr Dawson thanked the volunteers, the community and the sponsors for their input.

The Jamestown Flying Group were also acknowledged for their achievement at a state level, also awarded the Community Event of the Year for 2009.

Mr Woolford then congratulated early childhood worker Deb McCarthy for her achievement of Citizen of the Year.

Mrs McCarthy was recognised for her work with young people at the Community Children’s Centre (the kindy), where she has worked for 21 years, and also for her outstanding contribution to the community, through various fundraising events and volunteer work.

As well a having numerous terms as president and secretary of local netball, tennis and golf clubs, she has helped to initiate various fundraising throughout the community, including her involvement with the Jamestown Hydrotherapy Pool and Gymnasium.

Mrs McCarthy thanked her family and friends for their support, and a numerous amount of her

colleagues – past and present – for their assistance.