Ms Moore is known around town as an unstoppable ball of energy who, even at the age of 80, is the driving force behind many of Griffith's community events and fundraisers.

She's got fingers in pies all around Griffith, including Country Hope, Avanti Rotary Club, Griffith East Inner Wheel, Griffith Heart Support Group, Cancer Council NSW, and Riding for the Disabled, just to name a few.

Each year she puts out a mighty rallying cry for Pink Up Griffith, cajoling local businesses into decorating their shopfronts pink to raise money for breast cancer research.

However Ms Moore said that none of these community events would be possible without the burning community spirit that Griffith is famous for.

"The award doesn't really belong to me, because whatever you do you need to have people to help you," Ms Moore said.

"It's takes time and effort, and by working together we can hopefully make a difference to our community."

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That community spirit shone brightly in the other Australia Day award winners, including Johan Martinello who was awarded the junior citizen of the year award.

Johan is known as an enthusiastic young volunteer who always gives a helping hand to Griffith Can Assist and their various fundraising events.

Andria Zanotto won young citizen of the year award for her stellar academic achievement at Murrumbidgee Regional High School as well as for her various volunteering efforts throughout her schooling years.

It was a fantastic year for the Hampers of Hope team, which won both the environmental citizen of the year award as well as the community project of the year award for their work putting food on the table for disadvantaged residents while simultaneously cutting down food waste.

The Australia Day ceremony was capped off with the traditional citizenship ceremony, which involved 83 people.

They came from Albania, Malaysia, Germany, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Italy, Iran, Pakistan, Fiji, Nepal, the Philippines, India, South Africa, and Hungary, but by the end of the day they were all true-blue Aussies.

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It has been Australia's lost summer. Drought, hail, floods and, worst of all, bushfires have ravaged communities all over the nation. But the selfless actions of friends, family, neighbours, strangers, local groups and volunteer organisations have inspired us and strengthened the bonds of community. Please join us in saying thanks to the heroes of the home front by sharing your stories of gratitude. To salute a person or a group, please use the form below.