Ms Crain said she was "very surprised and shocked", but her win will come as no great surprise to the many people in Wagga who know her.

She received the honour at last night's Australia Day awards ceremony after 12 years of tireless work at the helm of the Multicultural Council.

Speaking before the ceremony, Ms Crain said she was nervous but excited for herself and the other two nominees.

IN OTHER NEWS:

John Fardell was nominated for the award for many years spent raising money for numerous causes, including bushfire relief and the Mary Potter Nursing Home, through carpentry.

Fellow nominee Judith Ferguson was recognised for her long contribution to Wagga's music scene and for directing the Murrumbidgee Magic and Wagga City Rugby Male choirs through the tumultuous year that was 2020.

In the end, Ms Crain was named 2021 Citizen of the Year for her dedication to new migrants and refugees, whom she has supported wholeheartedly to embark on their new lives in Australia.

Ms Crain joined the Multicultural Council as a board member in 2008 while she was working in homelessness services.

"I started having some young African people coming into the services that I was managing so I went onto the board of the Multicultural Council. I was on the board for about six months and then I became the manager," she said.

"I went there sort of to find out what I could do to help people. I was meant to be there for six months and I've been there for 12 years."

Ms Crain said the honour was a great highlight for the multicultural community of Wagga and she hoped to continue to grow the organisation. "For me, every day's a different day because I learn more and more each day. It's not a job that you go to and do the same thing everyday," she said.

"It's very rewarding."

Ms Crain has been instrumental in supporting families and individuals to establish themselves in the community and to make Wagga their home, including helping new arrivals to gain qualifications and find employment.

She said the Wagga community was not very diverse when she was growing up here, but she had learnt so much from her work with the Multicultural Council.

"I feel very privileged to be a part of people's lives as they settle here," she said.

"We become almost like a family. Having this one place for so many different cohorts really helps create a sense of belonging."

The Australia Day awards were hosted at the Civic Theatre this evening, where two other dedicated members of the community received top awards.

Clare Frances Lawlor was named the 2021 Young Citizen of the Year, while Edward Maher received a gong for the 2021 Environmental Citizen of the Year.

Eleven residents were nominated in recognition of their contribution to the community, five of whom were in the running for the recently established environmental citizen category.

Ms Lawlor was recognised for founding the Charles Sturt University Wagga Rotaract Club, a global organisation that gives back to the community.

Ms Lawlor has gathered a group of spirited students and young professionals who are known around Wagga for their volunteer work and their determination to create positive change.

Mr Maher is the chair of the Wagga Urban Landcare group and was recognised last night for his commitment to sustainability.

He has been instrumental in promoting strong community engagement and establishing partnerships with local businesses and organisations to educate people about the environment.

In his work with Wagga Urban Landcare, Mr Maher uses his passion for the natural world to teach residents about the importance of revegetation and weed control.

Wagga mayor Greg Conkey said Australia Day was a time to recognise achievement and excellence, and to reflect on the darker parts of our history.

"It is a time to recognise what is great about this country and the people who have made this country great," Cr Conkey said.

"We should never forget our past and the injustices inflicted as we come together to celebrate in a spirit of reconciliation."