Six Wimmera people were recognised with Order of Australia Medals for their outstanding contribution to the community.

Horsham residents Owen Hughan, Marion Smith and Lindsay Smith joined Barry Clugston of Stawell, Darren Scott of Rupanyup and Shane Wall of Donald on the Governor-General's 2012 Australia Day honours list.

Local governments awarded citizens and events of the year at ceremonies which saw increased numbers.

About 700 people were at Sawyer Park, Horsham, yesterday morning to celebrate with a community breakfast and ceremony.

Eight migrants received Australian citizenship certificates in Horsham, including Nasir Shah, formerly of Pakistan.

"I will celebrate by having lunch with my family - who knows, it might be a barbie - and then a trip to Halls Gap,'' Mr Shah said.

Former Haven resident Bob Handby gave speeches in his role as Australia Day Ambassador at ceremonies in Dimboola, Nhill, Rainbow and Jeparit.

Mr Handby, a Red Cross international aid worker, said his experience overseas had enabled him to appreciate Australia from a different perspective.

"Often we have to have things taken away from us to appreciate what we've got," he said.

"When people find out you're Australian their eyes light up and they say 'you're Australian, you're so lucky'.

"Their vision of Australia is nothing but a dream."

Horsham Citizen of the Year is Agnes Seater and Young Citizen of the Year is Jennifer van Veldhuisen; Hindmarsh Shire's Citizen of the Year is David Keller of Nhill and Young Citizen of the Year is Paige Egan of Nhill; and West Wimmera Shire Citizen of the Year is Tom Houlihan of Harrow.

Northern Grampians Shire Citizens of the Year are Marg Batters, St Arnaud, and Jim Melbourne, Stawell, and Young Citizens of the Year are Kate Gifford, St Arnaud, and Kieran Ryan, Stawell.

Yarriambiack Shire Citizen of the Year is Ronald Cahill of Rupanyup.

For more Australia Day coverage see pages 6 to 10 of today's Mail-Times.