DIMBOOLA woman Pamela Budde is Hindmarsh Shire Council's Citizen of the Year.
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Mrs Budde, 70, has been instrumental in Dimboola's scouting community since starting as a cub scout leader more than 50 years ago.
She has also been heavily involved in the Cancer Crusaders, a Dimboola group raising money for the fight against cancer.
Along with her husband Max, Mrs Budde is a long-serving member of the Dimboola Lions Club.
Other community activities include volunteering with Meals on Wheels.
"You're in these voluntary organisations really to participate in a small community," she said.
"There's no better sense of community spirit than to be involved.
Mrs Budde said she hoped she would be able continue helping the community.
A health ailment saw her hospitalised earlier in the week.
She was thankful to have been discharged in time for yesterday's Australia Day ceremony at Dimboola.
"I'm good to go," she said.
Nhill man Jamie Harding was the shire's Young Citizen of the Year.
A service technician at Robins Ag Service, the 23-year-old sped through his four-year diesel mechanic apprenticeship in about half the usual training period.
He is now training two apprentices of his own.
Leadership roles in the Nhill Lutheran Youth Group and Yanac Hockey Club also feature on his list of achievements.
"I didn't really expect the award, but it's an honour more than anything else," Mr Harding said.
Winiam Cricket Club won Hindmarsh's Community Event of the Year Award for their Pink Stumps Day last year.
The February 2 initiative raised more than $2000 for the McGrath Foundation.
To follow on their success, the club will host their next Pink Stumps Day on February 15.
Hindmarsh Mayor Rob Gersch congratulated all of the award recipients.
"We are blessed in Hindmarsh Shire to have a generous community spirit, with such worthy candidates coming up for nomination each year and still more out there that go unrecognised," he said.
Geelong's Dr Bernard Jenner was the guest speaker for the ceremony.