“I was very emotional when I accepted the award, and I am now pleased and proud to be an Aussie,” she said. “I’ve grown up here and spent the key years of my life here.”

“It was a wonderful day.”

Most of the people at Dubbo’s Australia Day ceremony in Victoria Park agreed with that sentiment.

When mayor Ben Shields spoke about a sense of pride in our country and city and thankfulness for the diversity we enjoy, many heads nodded in agreement.

Something else everyone could agree upon was the food.

More than 1600 snags on buns along with hundreds of bacon and egg rolls and more than 600 lamingtons were served to the hungry hordes in Victoria Park.

Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie president Jen Cowley said feeding hundreds of happy Australians was a fantastic way to spend the day.

“It’s what the day is about, hundreds and hundreds of happy people celebrating Australia Day with food and conversation,” she said.

“We cook the snags to perfection and the object of the day for Rotary is to give back to the community, we are all part of the community and something like Australia Day brings people together, all ages, all demographics and it really lovely to be part of it.

“Everyone loves a snag on a bun it’s certainly the most popular food today.”

Dubbo resident Chloe Gaffney, who got into the spirit of the day by wrapping herself in the Australian Flag and dressing in the national colours, said Australia Day was a “special” day.

“Australia Day means home, family and heat for me,” she said.

“Also lots of flies!

“But seriously, it is a wonderful day to spend with those you love.”