This year was no exception. Wingham High's 2020 captains Dimity Bartlett and Billy Callaghan kindly shared their speeches with us so we could share them with you.

Today marks a day on the calendar that some look forward to, some don't recognise, some people despise, and some people just take it as a free day off work. No matter the way we view Australia day we can all come together as one and recognise the people that deserve the recognition but also to take a step back and value how lucky we are to call Australia home.

Today is a day that allows us to celebrate all of things that make us Australian, that make us who we are today and to give our gratitude to all of those who have helped make Australia this place of freedom and safety that we all call home. It exemplifies our diversity and shows that we are all the same celebrating the life that we are grateful to have in Australia.

Related reading: Citizen of the Year a driving force for the arts in Wingham

Australia Day for me has always been a day that I spend at the beach with family and friends with a sausage sizzle never too far away. I have always valued this day but as I get older I realise that today is more than just being around your loved ones while participating in true Aussie spirit games such as backyard cricket.

It is important to also recognise the traditional custodians of this beautiful land and to honour the land that we stand on was defined by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I am really proud of our community for recognising this and helping to educate everyone about our ancestors of this land and integrating their language and ways of living into our community and education system. I am lucky enough to be able to see this at my own school, Wingham High, having a very successful Gathang group and giving the kids a voice and the ability to learn about their heritage.

Over the past couple of months Australia has been hit with some pretty devastating events leaving many families broken, but it has also exemplified the sheer amount of mateship that is present throughout our country. Recently we saw the mass destruction that the bushfires can cause throughout our little community and surrounding areas. We saw many homes lost - some of us here today were probably directly affected by those fires - but it was a time that brought our whole community together to show our support to one another in times of need and to me this is what Australia day is all about.

Today I not only feel proud, but I also am filled with a lot of emotions for those who have been fighting at the front line of the fires, the families who lost everything, and the families that stayed awake wondering if their loved ones would return home from duty or if they were safe from the raging fires.

Related reading: Mid Coast comes together to celebrate Australia Day

As this devastating event has taken place we have seen help come in for our country from all over the world. We have seen stories from happiness to despair across our country but the thing that triumphs over all is the true Australian spirit of having each others' backs.

Evacuation centres full to the brim with donations, fundraisers increasing into the millions and rebuilding beginning. Bobin Public School was hit by the fires and we saw mateship come through when Murray Road (Wingham Public School) took the Bobin students in until their school was rebuilt. Our little community that we all here today call home is a true and amazing representation of Australia and how we will always come together in both the good and bad times.

So, as we sit here, we all might have some mixed emotions about the day but the one thing we all need to remember is to see the good in everything we can. Australia has been hit with some of the worst fires on record, but Australia has come through even stronger and united together.

From the bottom of my heart I thank all of the fire fighters for protecting our beautiful country, I thank all of our ancestors, those past and present, for giving us this wonderful place to call home and I thank all of you here today and the rest of our community for teaching me the Australian values and ways of life that I will forever cherish and take with me through life.

There tends to be a lot of mixed feelings and emotions around Australia Day. It is sometimes hard to share your opinion without feeling somewhat controversial or opinionated no matter what side you are on. But one of the best things about Australia is you are free to believe what you want to believe in, work for what you want to work for and be who you wish to be. That is one of things that makes Australia such a great country.

Australia is a diverse and incredible country that has given me and many others endless opportunities in education, travel, employment and so much more. This wonderful country is inhabited by some of the most astonishing and amazing creatures in the world. And the animals are pretty good too.

Related reading: Taycee-Lea Jones and Owen Harper named citizens of the year in Taree ceremony

Australia Day is a day we celebrate the amazing and unique qualities we have as a nation. It is also a day that we celebrate what it means to be an Australian. Believe it or not an Australian isn't just someone who lives in Australia. They are someone who sees the beauty of Australia. They are someone who loves the land on which they stand and celebrates the rich traditional cultures that made this country what it is today. From the vast countryside to the thriving cities, Australia is blessed to be one of the safest and most beautiful countries on the planet, therefore this is why I celebrate Australia Day.

Today is not only a day to celebrate our rich heritage, but it is also a day to give our respects to the first owners of this beautiful country. In fact, I believe that remembering to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, is a crucial part in advancing our country and ensuring every Australian is able to celebrate this day.

I would like the add my condolences to any and all who have been affected by the most recent devastating fires we have had around the East coast area. I know many people have been affected by this, some I personally know. It is truly devastating.

I would also like to say my great respect and gratitude to all who have shown true Aussie spirit and helped within this time of need. There have been truly amazing efforts from the firefighters, volunteers and many others who help put in their support and donations towards helping the great people of this country. I really do have a great amount of respect for all the work that has been done, and for all the work that will still need to be done. It has really shown what the Australian people can do when others are in need.

So, for me Australia Day is a day to give respect and remember the roots of this beautiful country. As well as have a couple of sausage sandwiches on the beach with the family.