THE Cobargo School of Arts hall was packed on Wednesday when the local community gathered to celebrate Australia Day in true country fashion.

A delighted crowd enjoyed performances from local singers, and speeches from officials and local school children who noted how lucky we are to live in Australia.

The ceremony culminated in the acknowledgement of the tireless efforts of Mary Ayliffe, who was awarded with the prestigious honour of citizen of the year.

Mary is involved with many activities in the community, including organising the Christmas in the Park for over fifty years, driving the school bus for her legion of fans, and has had significant involvement with the brownies and girl guides.

She is a member of the Cobargo Hall committee, a Cobargo Swimming Club life member, and elder of the Uniting Church among many other responsibilities.

"I am thankful for so many things, a wonderful husband, wonderful family and wonderful community," said Mary, who said she was shocked at being chosen for the award.

"I am a proud Australian. We've travelled a lot and it's a huge, huge country.

"But it's always great to come back over the hill and into my home, Cobargo."

Mr Scott McGregor, television presenter and Australia Day ambassador for Bega and Cobargo, presented Mary with her citizen award following a humorous and inspiring speech to the audience.

Of the many thoughts and anecdotes Mr McGregor provided, the Cobargo residents responded most fervently to his idea for a new reality television show that he was contemplating on the drive down from Sydney.

"You are possibly familiar with one of the television shows I have done, Changing Rooms, where we get two couples to renovate each other's rooms over a few of days with a budget of $7,000, and they get to have a party with what's left over," said Scott.

"Now I was thinking we could approach the television executives, and say 'How about this - you give us two billion dollars, and over the next couple of years, we can renovate the Princes Highway, and we can have a massive party with the RTA with the money leftover,' - it would make a great show."

This suggestion received a rapturous applause and much laughter from the crowd.

The ceremony also involved the naturalisation of three local residents, with Bega Valley Shire Mayor, David Hede, inducting Sarah Batten, Hallie Fernandez and Arthur Bell as official Australian citizens.

It was the first time since 1989 that Cobargo had hosted a naturalisation, and those gathered were keen to congratulate the now official Australian citizens.

Following the official proceedings, all were welcomed to enjoy the ever popular scones and sandwiches provided by the Country Women's Association.

A delighted crowd enjoyed performances from local singers, and speeches from officials and local school children who noted how lucky we are to live in Australia.

The ceremony culminated in the acknowledgement of the tireless efforts of Mary Ayliffe, who was awarded with the prestigious honour of citizen of the year.

Mary is involved with many activities in the community, including organising the Christmas in the Park for over fifty years, driving the school bus for her legion of fans, and has had significant involvement with the brownies and girl guides.

She is a member of the Cobargo Hall committee, a Cobargo Swimming Club life member, and elder of the Uniting Church among many other responsibilities.

"I am thankful for so many things, a wonderful husband, wonderful family and wonderful community," said Mary, who said she was shocked at being chosen for the award.

"I am a proud Australian. We've travelled a lot and it's a huge, huge country.

"But it's always great to come back over the hill and into my home, Cobargo."

Mr Scott McGregor, television presenter and Australia Day ambassador for Bega and Cobargo, presented Mary with her citizen award following a humorous and inspiring speech to the audience.

Of the many thoughts and anecdotes Mr McGregor provided, the Cobargo residents responded most fervently to his idea for a new reality television show that he was contemplating on the drive down from Sydney.

"You are possibly familiar with one of the television shows I have done, Changing Rooms, where we get two couples to renovate each other's rooms over a few of days with a budget of $7,000, and they get to have a party with what's left over," said Scott.

"Now I was thinking we could approach the television executives, and say 'How about this - you give us two billion dollars, and over the next couple of years, we can renovate the Princes Highway, and we can have a massive party with the RTA with the money leftover,' - it would make a great show."

This suggestion received a rapturous applause and much laughter from the crowd.

The ceremony also involved the naturalisation of three local residents, with Bega Valley Shire Mayor, David Hede, inducting Sarah Batten, Hallie Fernandez and Arthur Bell as official Australian citizens.

It was the first time since 1989 that Cobargo had hosted a naturalisation, and those gathered were keen to congratulate the now official Australian citizens.

Following the official proceedings, all were welcomed to enjoy the ever popular scones and sandwiches provided by the Country Women's Association.