May 9, 2021 marks 206 years since Bathurst was proclaimed a city, and as part of the celebrations the group, who have all contributed to the community on various levels, have been recognised.

This year's Living Legends included Soula Aspros, Margaret Bower, Doug Coates, Royce George, Anne Llewellyn and Amanda Wilding.

During the event, Mayor of Bathurst, Cr Bobby Bourke, thanked the group for the hard work they do.

"Each year, we get around 40 nominations; and they are all good volunteers, and to pick out half a dozen each year it's quite a hard job," he said.

Cr Bourke described the celebration as "a great day."

"I've got Mrs Aspros my favourite fish and chip lady here, It's great to recognise these people in the community."

Mrs Aspros is known to many in the community as the hardworking owner of the Carillon Fish Shop, which is an institution in Bathurst.

She was recognised alongside two educators; TAFE teacher Margaret Bower, who is also heavily involved in the Probus Club of Macquarie and Doug Coates, former school principal and Bathurst Aeroclub, RFS and Scouts volunteer.

Royce George was also recognised, Royce, has assisted in shaping the Bathurst sporting landscape and was instrumental in efforts to build Daffodil Cottage, and protect it from being repurposed in 2008.

Anne Llewellyn received her award for her dedication to volunteering in a variety of areas within the Bathurst community, as did Amanda Wilding who among other things established the Daffodil Wig Library in 2014.

Master of Ceremonies, Christopher Morgan said the purpose of the day is "to celebrate all of the things that we, as modern Bathurstians cherish, value and celebrate."

He said the city was at the point at which it can reflect what has happened in the past and think about what might happen in the future "and acknowledge wonderful people in the process."

When thinking about Proclamation Day, Mr Morgan said as a community it was an opportunity to think about what happened in Bathurst 206 years ago.

He said when Governor Macquarie stood in Bathurst, he gave us a gift.. the gift of a robust democracy.

"It's the gift of democracy that we celebrate here and within that people who did fantastic things and people who do fantastic things in our community, and that of course is what we acknowledge," he said.

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