Despite the steamy heat and early morning start on Australia Day, about 200 people turned up at Wingham`s Central Park to celebrate. Presented annually by Manning Valley Historical Society (MVHS) this year`s ceremony was especially moving because of the devastating drought and bush fires across the nation.

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Grateful recognition was given to all emergency services personnel, the countless voluntary workers, both local and those in communities across Australia who have rallied to support their people, many of whom have been impacted in so many different ways.

Scouts from the 1st Wingham Scouts Group did a great job and were busy on the day - handing out programs, raising the Australian Flag on the flagpole, and collecting donations for the Bush Fire Appeal.

Patron of MVHS and organiser of the 2020 Wingham Australia Day event, Mave Richardson AM PSM delivered the donation to the Bobin school on Wednesday, February 19.

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"While a $250 donation on the day may be a relatively small amount, it is given with great compassion to the Bobin Public School, in such a beautiful small village decimated by bush fire. The children, their families and their communities are our future," Mave said.

"If it helps in some small way to brighten their new surrounds then they will know we are thinking of them and that we will continue to support them."

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Sarah said the donation will be used to help restock classroom supplies.

"We are so grateful that people are thinking of us," Sarah said.

"Donations like this help us to resupply all of the necessary items you need in a classroom."

The Bobin school students and staff are settling in nicely to the new school buildings which were replaced in record time so the school could reopen on time for the 2020 school year, after bushfires burnt down the entire school bar the library.