In two ceremonies on Thursday, Mrs Dalton handed out the Community Recognition Statements and Hidden Treasures awards.

The awards were given to organisations and members of the MIA community who go above and beyond when helping out their neighbours.

Among the recipients was the NSW Rural Fire Service, MIA District who received a recognition statement, honouring their work over the past year fighting fires both locally and across the country in last summer's crisis.

Group Captain John Payne said being recognised by their own community made the award extra special.

"Protecting our community is the reason we do it," he said. "I'm only there to make sure my neighbours are alright."

"And if you're going to do the right thing by them, you're going to be as skilled and prepared as possible when you go out to protect them."

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Group Captain Tim Langley echoed this sentiment.

"Each brigade has it's own mix of volunteers. They're all in it for the same reason, which is just to help out everyone else and the community."

Another recipient of the award was local winemaker Bill Calabria AM, who said helping out the Griffith community was always worth it.

"It's something I enjoy doing," he said. "Whatever you give, you always get twice as much back."

"Helping the community is a complete team effort and we'll continue to lead by example, and hopefully the next generation will do the same."

Helen Dalton said volunteer work was the essence of a community in rural Australia.

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"We can't expect the government to do everything for us and people here realise that," she said. "If you want to get things going, sometimes you've got to do it yourself."

"Without volunteers, we wouldn't have a lot of the great stuff we have in rural communities."

Mrs Dalton said that In Griffith, the culture of helping your neighbour is ingrained, with familiar faces strewn around each organisation.

Full list of award recipients:

Community Recognition Statements:

Margaret Moore

Adrienne Wilson

Bill Calabria AM

Norma Marin

Griffith Meals on Wheels

Hampers of Hope

Griffith Rugby League Club

Griffith Carevan

NSW Rural Fire Service - MIA District

Hidden Treasures:

Barbara Jefferies

Kay Pellizzer

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