Joining a long list of deserving names, Trish was humbled by the Australia Day award honour and said the idea of laying a paver was great.

"I'm still in a bit of shock I think. It certainly has brought about new faces to want to join the Inverell Breast Cancer Support Group. We had our first meeting for the year and saw a record turnout of almost 30 people," she said.

The group's monthly bus trips also saw a record crowd of 83 people heading to Bens Falls, near Emmaville. Two buses and a car was needed for the day.

Joint Young Citizen of the Year, Dean Davis also attended the paver-laying as he was unable to make the Australia Day Awards Ceremony.

He said the accolade made him fell happy: "it lifted me up quite a bit." Dean is a sub-contracted hip hop artist with a Melbourne-based dance company.

Although based in Inverell, Dean travels around Australia to teach dance workshops in remote Aboriginal communities. Last year, Dean worked with Steph Marshall on the Unstop-Ability production.

"I'm hoping to hold some workshops in schools around this area soon to give back to these youth," he said.

Inverell Shire Council mayor Paul Harmon said it was always a pleasure to acknowledge local people who selflessly give back to the Inverell community.

"I think the pavers are a fantastic tribute to those people who work hard in their community, and have been acknowledged for that. Now, forever, people can see who they are and at what point they received their citizen of the year award."

Mr Harmon described Dean, along with Rohan Cowley, as the perfect ambassadors for their community. He said Dean was a great person for young, indigenous men look up to as he follows his dreams and passions.

"I'm always amazed at the amount of times Anna and I attend events and see the same people giving their time for their community. Trish is one of those people."

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