Mr Townsend, who last year stepped down from the role after 10 years, was honoured along with young citizen of the year Thomas De Lange and the Eugowra Rugby League Club, which was named community group of the year.

The awards were presented at Eugowra Bowling Club by Cabonne Shire councillors Ian Gosper and Kevin Walker and guest speaker Helen Walker, a director of the National Archives of Australia and a former Eugowra resident.

Meanwhile, a man who is still a senior deputy captain after more than 64 years as a Rural Fire Service volunteer was named Borenore’s Citizen of the Year.

Gary Lindfield was one of eight people to receive citizen of the year awards in Cabonne Shire on Australia Day.

Involved with the Borenore RFS brigade since 1950, Mr Lindfield served many years as captain and deputy captain.

Regarded as the “go to person” for much of his time with the brigade, he has been in charge of equipment maintenance since 2001 and is always keen to pass on his knowledge and experience of firefighting and equipment to new members.

Cabonne mayor Michael Hayes said Mr Lindfield was a committed team member who put incident calls before his own personal life.

“Gary is a great mentor who is very generous in helping younger brigade members,” Cr Hayes said.

Mr Lindfield received his award from Australia Day Ambassador Gordon Bray. Regarded as the “voice of rugby”, Mr Bray accompanied Cabonne Youth Ambassador Sophie Clayton and the official party to Australia Day celebrations at Borenore, Cudal, Manildra and Yeoval.

Australia Day activities were also held at Canowindra, Cargo, Cumnock, Eugowra, Molong and Mullion Creek.

The full list of Cabonne Australia Day winners is:

Borenore/Nashdale: Citizen of the Year - Gary Lindfield; Community Group of the Year - Borenore Community Progress Association.

Canowindra: Young Citizen of the Year - Lucy Harrison; Community Group of the Year - Canowindra Rugby Union Club.

Cargo: Community Group of the Year - Cargo Men’s Shed.

Cudal: Citizen of the Year - Graham Eslick; Young Citizen of the Year - Isabel Griffiths; Community Group of the Year - Cudal Community Children’s Centre.

Cumnock: Citizen of the Year - Jack Christie; Young Citizen of the Year - Leigh Brown; Community Group of the Year - Parish Council of Cumnock Anglican Church.

Eugowra: Citizen of the Year - Kevin Townsend; Young Citizen of the Year -Thomas De Lange; Community Group of the Year - Eugowra Rugby League Club.

Manildra: Citizen of the Year - Peter Livingstone; Young Citizen of the Year - Elisa Gregory; Community Group of the Year - Manildra Matters.

Molong: Citizen of the Year - Mary Mulhall; Young Citizen of the Year - Joseph Parmeter; Community Group of the Year - Molong Show Society.

Mullion Creek: Citizen of the Year - Alan Hawke; Young Citizen of the Year - Hunter Ward; Community Group of the Year - Byng-Emu Swamp CWA Branch.

Yeoval: Citizen of the Year - Kathy Dietrich; Young Citizen of the Year - Courtney Cusack.