The warm day started off with a breakfast cooked by the shire councillors and was followed by the award ceremony in which community awards were given out.

This year there were two Shire of West Arthur Outstanding Sporting Achievement awards.

One award went to Robert Cuthbert for representing Australia in rifle shooting at an international level, winning medals in both team and individual events.

The other award went to Neil Morrell for winning the national title of Australian No. 1 statesman class for dirt kart racing last year and for winning numerous places at state and local events.

Both recipients have committed many years to their sports to attain their high level of excellence, and both were deemed very deserving of their respective awards.

The Shire of West Arthur presented three Meritorious Service Awards.

These went to Val Crowley in recognition of her outstanding work with native vegetation and commitment to the West Arthur Herbarium; Robert Jefferies in recognition of continued effort and commitment to the Duranillin Bush Fire Brigade; and Neil Morrell in recognition of continued effort and commitment to the Arthur River Bush Fire Brigade.

The 2011 Premier’s Community Group/Event Awards was presented to the West Arthur Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade and the Premiers Australia Day Citizenship Award was presented to Hayden and Robyn Lubcke.