Shirley Hajek is a household name throughout Hay Shire and a popular selection for the 2025 Citizen of the Year.
She is considered the heart and soul of Guiding in Hay and a leading light in teaching generations of children to swim.
Shirley’s extraordinary dedication to the Girl Guide movement and her lifelong commitment to teaching generations of local children to swim have made a profound impact on the Hay community.
With over 50 years of service in guiding, Shirley has inspired young girls to develop essential life skills, resilience, and leadership.
Additionally, her 51 years of passionate swimming instruction has ensured many children in Hay gain water confidence and safety skills.
“Shirley’s unwavering commitment, leadership, and community service embody the values celebrated on Australia Day,” her citation reads.
An emotional Shirley accepted her award from Australia Day Ambassador, Susie Elelman AM during the traditional breakfast ceremony at Hay Gaol Museum on Sunday.
Susie’s Australia Day address had a strong message: Being an Australian means you can, and do, achieve anything you want.
Susie is the epitome of a multi-media broadcaster and is regarded as the most versatile, informed and professional person in Australian media.
Her name is synonymous with daytime television.
Susie is also an established presence on national radio, she is a newspaper and magazine columnist and an award-winning best-selling author.
Susie Elelman is also a first generation refugee from war-torn Europe. Her holocaust survivor Jewish father and German mother who had been bombed by the Americans, knew their time under the Nazi regime in Germany at the time had come to an end.
In 1950 they sailed to Australia.
“They arrived with no expectations,” Susie said.
“My father spoke 11 languages, but unfortunately English was not one of them.
“My mother used her schoolgirl English to come by.”
The family’s struggles were endless, but as soon as they were allowed to, they applied for Australian citizenship.
Their framed naturalisation certificates had pride of place on the wall in their house.
The well-attended breakfast ceremony was chaired by Cr Will Miller.
Breakfast was cooked by Can Assist and served by Hay Youth Taskforce.
Entertainment was provided by Sing Australia, and in a break from tradition over many years, the flag was raised by returned soldier Nick Harrison following the retirement of Paul ‘Frog’ Edwards.
This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 29 January 2025.