KAY Hull has made hundreds, if not thousands, of speeches in her lifetime but the speech she made in accepting the Freedom of the City last night she said has been the hardest.Surrounded by her family and with more than 100 people looking on, Mrs Hull was honoured by Wagga City Council for her efforts in local government and federal politics last night."It was just unbelievable, it was very nerve-wracking but it was extraordinarily remarkable and unbelievable," Mrs Hull said after the formalities were over."It was no surprise but you just have no idea, you could sit down and right 1000 speeches and you wouldn't know what to say."Mrs Hull was her usual bubbly, energetic self as she greeted people as they streamed through the doors of the Civic Centre and made their way into the council chambers to join in the celebrations.The ceremony was the only item on the agenda of the extraordinary council meeting, which was opened by mayor Wayne Geale and Wiradjuri elder, Aunty Isabel Reid, delivered the Welcome to Country."It's an honour to be here on a very special night for Kay, who's done so much for our people," Aunty Isabel said.The mayor and several councillors spoke on Mrs Hull's achievements as a councillor, federal politician and friend of Wagga.Among them were her efforts in saving the RAAF base and seeing the development of Regional Express in Wagga and Charles Sturt University, which last year saw her honoured when the Kay Hull Veterinary Hospital was opened at the university's south campus.Representatives from those organisations were among the crowd last night."Kay Hull is well respected and greatly admired throughout the Riverina and beyond and is a most worthy recipient of the high honour ... of Freedom of the City," Cr Geale declared.Mrs Hull was born in Guyra in 1954 and came to Wagga in 1973 with her sister Pam "for a short visit". She later married Graeme Hull and they opened a business, Graeme Hull Smash Repairs, on Edward Street.It was in 1991, when council proposed to build a median strip along Edward Street, which would prevent people from turning into their business, that Mrs Hull decided to stand for council in protest."Little did I know that when the business in Edward Street (was raised), I would be outside the room - pecuniary interest," she laughed last night.Mr Hull was also thanked by councillors and his wife, and was presented with a small gift from council.She was successful in running for council and stayed in local government until 1998, serving as deputy mayor from 1995, before moving into politics.