Local Celebration Awards

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Details: Written by: Teela Griffin; Published: 12 October 2020; Last Updated: 31 March 2025

Penrith is home to many dedicated, selfless and inspirational people and Council’s Local Celebration Awards are an opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate these people in our community.

ABOUT THE AWARDS

The Local Celebration Awards is a community awards program developed by Council to recognise and celebrate the people who are making a difference in Penrith.

It doesn’t matter how big or small their act of kindness is or how young or old they are. We’re looking for people who make Penrith a special place to live and whose spirit of generosity has changed the lives of others.

Do you know someone who has made a positive impact by volunteering or who saves thousands of lives through regular blood donations? Do you know someone who has raised a lot of money for charity or has given up their time or possessions to help others?

Then we want to hear from you!

CATEGORIES

There are four categories to nominate in:

Citizen of the Year

This award recognises the person who has contributed most significantly to the City of Penrith, demonstrating commitment, involvement in activities and innovation that has led to the betterment of the people within the Penrith community. The recipient needs to be a Penrith resident, aged 18 or over.

Know someone who is deserving of this award? Nominate them now in hardcopy paper form or online form.

Young Citizen of the Year

This is awarded to a young person aged 24 years or younger, who has contributed most significantly to the City of Penrith, providing outstanding community service and/or attaining outstanding achievement in academics, sport, arts, or charity work. The recipient needs to be a Penrith resident.

Know someone who is deserving of this award? Nominate them now in hardcopy paper form or online form.

Mayor’s Local Hero Award

This is awarded to a person who has contributed most significantly to the City of Penrith demonstrating commitment and involvement in activities that have led to the betterment of the people within the Penrith community. The recipient needs to be a Penrith resident, and there’s no age limit.

Know someone who is deserving of this award? Nominate them now in hardcopy paper form or online form.

Making A Difference - Community Service Award

This award recognises a person or group who has shown outstanding dedication and contribution to one or more areas that has led to the betterment of the quality of life of others in the City of Penrith community in areas such as volunteering, charitable work, supported the community during emergencies or natural disasters, championing environmental initiatives, made a contribution in the sporting arena, or provided exceptional community leadership. For this award the recipient does not need to reside in the Penrith local government area. There is no age limit.

Know someone who is deserving of this award? Nominate them now in hardcopy paper form, or online form.

NOMINATIONS

Nominations for the 2026 awards program can be submitted in hardcopy paper form, or an online form. and video submission.

In person:
Penrith Council Civic Centre
601 High St, Penrith
8.30am – 4pm weekdays (excluding public holidays).

St Marys Business Office
207-209 Queen St, St Marys
9am –12.30pm and 1.30pm - 4pm weekdays (excluding public holidays).

Mail

c/o Communications Team
Penrith City Council
PO BOX 60
Penrith NSW 2751  

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Video

You can also create a short video about the person you’re nominating which showcases the great work they are doing for the community. Share this video with us by emailing it to us, including a link to the video in your nomination form, or through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter by tagging Penrith City Council in your post.

Eligibility Checklist

Before submitting a nomination, please review the below eligibility checklist:

Australian Permanent Resident or Australian Citizen
Individual members of the public
Local volunteer group, community groups, sporting groups or organisation (up to six members)
Employees or volunteers of local organisations
Nominees must reside, work or have made a significant contribution in the City of Penrith.

Ineligible nominations:

Current Penrith City Council employees
Sitting local, state and federal politicians
Self-nominees
Awards will not be granted posthumously

Nominations for the 2026 awards close 31 March 2026.

If you need assistance submitting a nomination, or have any questions, please contact Council’s Corporate Events Team at (02) 4732 7777 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SELECTION PROCESS

Nominations will be received by Council’s Corporate Events team throughout the year. A panel of Council Representatives will convene once nominations are closed to review all candidates.

The panel will discuss the nominations and each member of the panel will have the opportunity to vote on the nominee they feel is most worthy. The nominees who receive the most votes in each category will be selected to receive the award(s). The selection process will occur in April of each year.

Selection Criteria

The nominees will be assessed against the below criteria:

Demonstrated contribution to the Penrith community
A role model for the community
Activities align with our core values of:
- Can do attitude – a focus on getting the right things done
- Harmony – valuing relationships – activity promoting collaboration and partnering to achieve more
- Lifestyle – setting a new benchmark for a balanced, healthy and respectful lifestyle
- Openness – embracing new ideas, new people to do things differently for our communities’ benefit
- Invention – looking for new and better ways of delivering services and community activities for greater participation and diversity
- Transformation – driving real change in our city for the betterment of our communities

If you have any questions about the selection process, please contact Council’s Corporate Events team at (02) 4732 7777 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2025 WINNERS

Will be announced in July 2025.

2024 WINNERS

Citizen of the Year: Troy Dodds

Mayor’s Local Heroes: Mike Hicks and Julie Parsons

Young Citizen of the Year: Jack Conroy

Making a Difference – Community Service Awards: Lucinda Harvey, Bailey Hand and Angela Lambros