BOB TOWNSHEND opened the official Southern Downs Australia Day ceremony with his booming voice and the sound of his iconic bell, but it wasn't long before he was welcomed back to the stage to accept the most prestigious award of the day.

As someone who knows our towns like the back of his scroll, it was fitting that Mr Townshend should receive the first Southern Downs Citizen of the Year award, in recognition of his service to the entire region.

"I couldn't believe it, it's an incredible honour,” Mr Townshend said.

"I am very proud to be the Southern Downs town crier and represent the whole region. I just can't stop talking about the place because I love it so much.”

Mr Townshend said his role had led him to discover history and see the region as a whole.

"We're like one big family really. We all have our little differences but, if we look at ourselves as one, I think we have a huge potential.”

Mr Townshend said he had a separate scroll for each town around the Southern Downs but when he competed in national competitions he used a single scroll that included the whole region.

Town crying is a passion that Mr Townshend stumbled into by accident in 2011 but, when he discovered he had the knack for it, he rose straight to the top.

Mr Townshend was named Australia's Senior Champion at the Australian Town Crier Championships and retained the title the following year.

Dressed head to toe in lace and golden trim, Mr Townshend completed the scene at Warwick's historic Glengallan Homestead, where the official Australia Day ceremony was held.

In keeping with his efforts to service the entire region, Mr Townshend rushed off to the Stanthorpe Australia Day ceremony - but not without a quick duck home to freshen up.