When Cabonne's Australia Day ambassador, Susie Elelman, told her story to the crowd at Borenore Public School, it was laced with humour, but tinged with sadness.
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A TV presenter, radio broadcaster, writer and author who has worked alongside Bert Newton, Clive Robertson, Stan Zemanek and Derryn Hinch, Ms Elelman was born in Sydney about 10 years after the end of World War II to a Jewish father and Catholic mother.
Her parents had escaped Poland after seeing family members murdered by Adolf Hitler's Nazis.
They found a new life in Australia on Sydney's white bread northern beaches.
At first many locals were unfriendly - the family was called Nazis and Elelman's father had Swastikas daubed on the walls of his business.
"There were people who thought we were different, and kids can be really cruel," she said after her speech."
But over time they were accepted into the community, and made worthy contributions to Australian life.
"My parents learnt English and by doing lots of things in the community people saw them for what they could do.
"Australia gave us an opportunity that we couldn't have had anywhere else."
CABONNE COUNCIL AUSTRALIA DAY WINNERS
Borenore/Nashdale: Citizens of the Year - Melissa Campbell and Kylie Toberty
Canowindra: Citizen of the Year - Thomas Jeffs / Community Group of the Year - Orana House Trust Committee
Cargo: Community Group of the Year - Cargo Common Committee
Cudal: Young Citizen of the Year - Marnie Adams / Citizen of the Year - Helen Colman / Community Group of the Year - Cudal Central Inc
Cumnock: Young Citizen of the Year - Zali Armstrong / Citizen of the Year - Bron Flick / Community Group of the Year - Cumnock Long White Lunch Committee
Eugowra: Young Citizen of the Year - Laura Harvey / Citizen of the Year - Frances Anderson / Community Group of the Year - Eugowra Community Children's Centre
Manildra: Young Citizen of the Year - Joanne Wright / Citizen of the Year - Joan Brooks / Community Group of the Year - Manildra First Responders
Molong: Young Citizen of the Year- Hannah Betts / Citizen of the Year - Robert Sullivan / Community Group of the Year - Molong's Pantry
Mullion Creek: Young Citizen of the Year - Arthur Morrison / Citizen of the Year - Stuart Brisbane / Community Group of the Year - Staff of Mullion Creek Public School
Yeoval: Young Citizen of the Year - Boudicea Blatch / Citizen of the Year - Joanne Davis / Community Group of the Year - Mulga Bill Festival
