A HOST of residents from throughout the Kiama electorate were recognised at a community awards ceremony on Friday.
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Member for Kiama Gareth Ward hosted the inaugural Kiama Electorate Community Recognition Awards with General David Hurley, Governor of NSW at The Pavilion.
Having grown up in the Illawarra, General Hurley said he had been a regular visitor to Kiama in a non-official capacity in the past, and planned to return in the future.
“These are very uplifting occasions, because you’re recognising the big contribution that people make to the community,” he said.
“Kiama is obviously a very beautiful spot, but what I’m trying to do as Governor is work out is how do I value add to what the community is doing. “So it’s important to recognise the community, people who make big efforts for the community.
“But later on I want to come down and look at other organisations and what they’re doing, what’s happening with the indigenous population and help the mental health agencies in the region.
“So they’ll be a broader spectrum to what I do when I come back.”
Mr Ward congratulated the award winners.
“It’s not every day we have the Governor of NSW in our region and today was extra special because this was His Excellency’s first official visit in his new role as Governor,” he said.
“It was therefore apt and appropriate that on his first visit that our Governor should meet some outstanding contributors to our local community.
“All nominees in the inaugural Kiama Electorate Community Recognition Awards are a real credit to our community and I’m pleased that some committed and talented locals could receive recognition.”
The winners in the various categories were:
*Outstanding Local Volunteer – Cameron McInerney from Jamberoo RFS and Kiama SLSC.
*Conservation Champion – Howard Jones.
*Young Person in Small Business – Joint Winners – Matthew Ozolins and Ory Purhonen from Webics, Michael Ballardin and Paul Paterno from Licked Gelateria, Chris Lovatt from Bean Roasted, Joel King from King Audio and Andrew Prosser from Gerringong Electrical.
*Small Business – Joint Winners – Julie and Michael Foye from Kiama Forward Computers and Lisa Prosser and Jodie Bentley from Werri Beach Fish and Chips Shop.
*Outstanding Emergency Service Volunteer – Hannah McInerney from Jamberoo RFS.
*Junior Sports (Male) – Jack McDonald
*Junior Sports (Female) – Amy Aquilina
*Sports Administrator – Craig Scott
*Outstanding Young Citizen – Joint Winners – Elicia Dearsley from Berry and St Johns High School Vinnies Group program participants.
*Outstanding Citizen – Joint Winners – Winsome Barker, Angela Newman and Sharon Parker.