As sheep and grain trucks rattled past Dry Street in the NSW farming town of Boorowa, Karen Webb was sworn-in as the state's highest-ranking police officer.
Police commissioner ceremonies are traditionally held at Government House in Sydney, with its sandstone arches and rolling gardens by the harbour.
But Ms Webb opted to accept her appointment on the oval at Boorowa Central School, a recognition that her time as a student there from kindergarten to Year 12 shaped the person she is today.
"My family and generations before them all cherished the same sense of belonging to this area," said Ms Webb, who is the state's first female police commissioner.
"Central School was my school and my playground for 13 years and I'm incredibly proud to see some of my former teachers here today.
"I can assure you that without your support and encouragement, I would not be in this role."
Some of the town's 1600 residents lined the fence to catch a glimpse of the PolAir helicopter and listen to the police band trill Waltzing Matilda.
Under stormy skies, about 50 students listened to dignitaries, including the Premier Dominic Perrottet and Police Minister Paul Toole.
Also watching on was Senior Constable John Stone, the officer who supervised Ms Webb's driving test on Australia Day in 1982, and who inspired her to join the force.
"John was everything you believe a good country cop to be.
"I was so impressed by John that day, coupled with a recruitment pamphlet on the counter, that at that moment I decided I wanted to join the NSW police force."
NSW Governor Margaret Beazley said the new commissioner's decision to hold the ceremony in Boorowa spoke volumes about the power of country towns.
"It seemed to me that it was a good day to ask: 'What is it about small towns that produce such wonderful people?'
"The answer has to be summed up in the word 'community'. A community where people know each other, a community where people help each other, and where everyone in the town plays a part."
Country kids get the advantage of getting to know their community role models, Ms Beazley said.
"The new police commissioner today is the person that you can be in the future. She is a view of the future."
Ms Webb is the first woman to hold the top police job in NSW, 106 years after the first woman joined the force. She took over from former commissioner Mick Fuller.
"The importance of being the first female police commissioner means that there will be other female police commissioners," Ms Beazley said.
Former Victorian police officer Christine Nixon was the country's first female chief commissioner of any state, serving in the role from 2001 to 2009.
Ms Webb's nieces, police constables Brooke and Hayley Keefe, were in uniform at their old school to watch their aunt take the top job.
"Coming from a small town, it's not until you leave that you realise the opportunities that are out there for you," Brooke Keefe said.
"I think she's a great reflection of the town itself."
