Australia Day awards
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A RELENTLESS prostate cancer awareness advocate and knowledgeable gardener has been named Wagga's citizen of the year.
Kerry Geale accepted the award at the official ceremony at Wagga's Civic Theatre on Saturday night, having been heavily involved in the Wagga Prostate Cancer Support Group and ABC Riverina's gardening program for many years.
Mr Geale, as president of the group, has worked to have a support nurse located in the city, developed a scholarship program and helped organise the Biggest Ever Blokes lunch and other fund-raising ventures.
"When I first heard of this nomination, firstly, I thought who on Earth did it, and secondly you go through a rush of emotion," Mr Geale said during his acceptance speech.
"I really never expected it.
"The other thing you really need to remember is looking at all those people nominated and years of volunteering so, please, thank them all.
"For those who have gone through the journey, you have your ups and downs, but that group of people, we support each other.
"It's so important to have a great group, you can't do these things without a team of people."
Mr Geale has also volunteered an hour-and-a-half of his time every Wednesday morning for more than 20 years to deliver a gardening show on ABC Radio.
"We've had a ball and I've met so many people right throughout the Riverina and so many enthusiastic people, so I would really like to thank them for the help they've given me," he said.
Mr Geale praised the support of his wife, daughters, grandchildren and son-in-laws in accepting the award.
Citizen of the year nominees included Helen Mundy, Marie Wilson, Marie Cecile-Henderson, Narelle Potts, Sister Carmel Wallis and Stanley Wilson.