WATCH: Citizen of the year’s brave Australia Day speech

HAYLEY Talbot took to the lectern after accepting her award for the Clarence Valley Council citizen of the year for 2021, and gave a powerful speech to those gathered at the Grafton District Services Club.

And while she acknowledged the work that she had done for her recognition, and paid tribute to what those in the room she had done, she took the brave step of addressing the "uncomfortable" issue surrounding celebrating on a day many consider to be one of sadness.

Watch her full speech here.

Hayley Talbot's brave Australia Day speech: Newly named Clarence Valley Citizen of the Year delivers her speech, which she said aimed to firstly lift up the achievements of everyone in the community, but recognise that the day is one of pain for many in the community