A wildlife angel, charity fundraisers and sports people are among the outstanding contributors to the Northern Beaches community honoured in the 2017 Australia Day Awards.
Northern Beaches Council Administrator Dick Persson paid tribute to those awarded and acknowledged the great contributions made to the Northern Beaches community as we celebrate Australia Day.
"One of the many things that make the Northern Beaches such a wonderful place to live is the outstanding contributions made to our community by so many people across such a diverse range of activities.
"It was wonderful to meet these outstanding citizens and on behalf of the community acknowledge the great work undertaken by the Australia Day Award nominees and especially the nine winners," Mr Persson said.
The winners are:
Citizen of the Year: Lynette Millett of Bilgola Plateau for outstanding service to wildlife on the Northern Beaches. Lynn has rescued, cared for or rehabilitated more than 11,000 native animals over 20 years.
Young Citizen of the Year: Dana Lanceman of North Curl Curl for volunteering with the Northern Beaches Council bushcare program and establishing the Curly Community Garden.
Sportsperson of the Year: Tom Colley of Avalon for being an outstanding young sportsman who has demonstrated a true sense of fair play as well as serving the community through surf lifesaving.
Community Event of the Year: Charity Concert for Bear Cottage, organised by John Clement of Forestville, which Helped raise money for charity and promoted budding performers.
Outstanding Community Service: Carol (Cass) Gye, Scotland Island, outstanding services to Scotland Island’s community; Matthew Pridham, Brookvale, tireless fundraising for Motor Neurone Disease; Sandra Walker, Seaforth, 20 years’ exceptional service to Sea Scouts; Oliver Davies, Curl Curl, outstanding performance as a junior cricketer and Olivia Murray of Mona Vale for youth advocacy and volunteering.
The awards were presented at the citizenship ceremony in Manly by Australia Day Ambassador Lisa Darmanin.