Nominated by the Manilla Showground Users Committee, Mr Hagon has been recognised for the endless number of hours he gives to local sporting and community groups and time he donates to perform at various events.

The Manilla Pony Club, Soccer Club and Touch Football Club are among the groups Mr Hagon assists as an instructor, committee member or coach.

Additionally, Mr Hagon’s talents as a performer are utilised by local event organisers including Manilla Team Penning group, Manilla RSL, Lions Club of Australia, the CWA, Australian Quarter Horse Association and AELEC’s entertainment team.

The Young Citizen of the Year Award went to McCarthy High School student Patrick Ferguson for his commitment to the sport of rodeo.

Dubbed the ‘Thriller from Manilla’, Patrick impressed at the 2016 Mount Isa Rodeo where he was crowned Junior Champion Bull Rider at the event.

The Community Event of the Year was awarded to the official opening of the Manilla Community Road Safety Park.

The hard work and commitment of the committee, in particular by Mr Roy Arscott and Mrs Barb Arscott from Manilla Lions Club and Ms Lynne Cooke and Ms Wendy Endicott from Regional Australia Bank’s Manilla Branch, and their tenacity and drive is the reason the Manilla community has this great new facility.

The day attracted over 100 people to the opening and allowed for the children to christen the Park with their bikes and scooters.