His award was announced by Mayor John Cahill at a special Australia Day ceremony in Banjo Paterson Park.

It is the second time he has won the prestigious award, the first being some 21 years ago.

Jeremy Smart won the Young Citizen of the Year Award and the Adaminaby Easter Fair won the Community Event of the Year Award.

Mr Crocker has an outstanding record of community involvement going back many years. He is a founding member of Jindabyne Apex Club and was involved in the original formation and development of the Jindabyne SES unit.

He has taken part in search and rescue efforts in the high country and helped develop Alpine snow survival training for Jindabyne police.

Mr Crocker has been awarded life membership of Jindabyne Rugby Club. He has served on the Anzac Day committee of the Snowy Mountains RSL sub-branch and is involved in care and support of the aged population. He is a long-time advocate for the rights and recognition of Vietnam Veterans.

Australia Day celebrations

Australia Day was celebrated in the shire with special events in Jindabyne, Berridale, Adaminaby and Dalgety.

It was all put together with the enormous help provided by Jindabyne and Berridale Lions Clubs, the CWA, Red Cross and RSL in Adaminaby, and the RFS with the opening of the Dalgety rural fire shed.

At many locations in the Snowy River the Australia Day Ambassadors turned out to assist in official ceremonies. This year the Ambassadors were the Special Olympics Dance Group – a team of intellectually disabled young people who performed with warmth, energy and enthusiasm.

At the Adaminaby celebrations the work of the Adaminaby Museum Committees and people who worked in the Op Shop from 2002-12 was recognised with a large ‘thank you’ card from the local community.

Jill Madew accepted the card on behalf of the committees and Lilibet Stephens on behalf of the Op Shop workers. The presentations were made by Cr Jan Leckstrom.