Some of Hawkesbury’s most outstanding citizens, community workers, sportspeople and artists have been honoured for their work in this year’s Australia Day awards.

The 2022 recipients are:
Diane Williams – Citizen of the Year – Commitment to Girl Guides;
Sophie Wills – Young Citizen of the Year – Defibrillator installation program;
Anne Robbie – Volunteer of the Year – Rescues, rehabilitates cats and animal shelter volunteer;
Penny McKinlay – Local Hero Award – Member RFS, BRAG, Mountain of Joy;
Michael Payne – Sports Person of the Year – Commitment to swimming;
Lillian Page – Junior Sports Person of the Year – Commitment to athletics;
Phillip Routley – Community Arts Award – Commitment to arts and music in the Hawkesbury;
NSW State Emergency Services Hawkesbury – Community Organisation of the Year – Volunteer work during the 2021 floods.

Winners were presented with their awards individually, with a civic reception scheduled for a later date.

Mayor Patrick Conolly congratulated the recipients on the contributions they have made in the Hawkesbury community.

“Our SES volunteers worked fearlessly during and after the March 2021 flood event, and they are always on hand, day or night to help and support our community whether it is during fire, floods, storms or other emergencies. We thank you all,” he said.

“Thank you also to Akash Arora – digital editor/journalist at SBS Australia, for being our 2022 Hawkesbury Australia Day Ambassador.”

Interviews with the award winners are featured on council’s You Tube channel.