This year, Blue Mountains City Council are taking a playful approach to their Local Citizen of the Year Awards, asking the community to 'show a Local Legend some love'.
Mayor, Councillor Mark Greenhill, said: "We want people to know these awards, whilst prestigious, aren't intimidating. It's giving a shout out to those local legends we love. Those people who make life in the Blue Mountains better. Nominating is so easy; you just answer three short questions. If you think someone is a local legend, then make it official and nominate them for Blue Mountains Local Citizen of the Year."
This year there are three categories to be awarded: Citizen of the Year (any age up to 64 years), Senior Citizen of The Year (65 years and over), and Community Achievement of the Year.
Nominations are sought for Blue Mountains residents from all backgrounds who are a total legend at anything including community service, business, science and technology, arts and entertainment, sport, education, or environment.
The 2022 award recipients were:
• Citizen of the Year Joanne Warrick; one of the first to volunteer to work on the frontline at the Newmarch House Residential Aged Care Facility when the first wave of COVID-19 infection hit.
• Senior Citizen of the Year Maree Cairns; an educator of excellence, a mentor, and a supporter of community organisations, volunteer for many and advocate for change in the field of gender equality.
• Community Achievement of the Year - Alison Broderick and the Winmalee Public School Community with "Students over the moon"; when students of Winmalee Public School made history by talking live with a NASA Astronaut who was on board the International Space Station, it was made possible as a result of the foresight and determination of Winmalee teacher Alison Broderick.
Mayor Councillor Mark Greenhill said: "Our hope is that by making nominating simple and approachable, people will feel encouraged to share their stories about the local legends they love, and we can celebrate their achievements together as a community.
"The best nominations are heartfelt and genuine. It can be hard to tell someone how great we think they are, so nominating them for this award is a wonderful way to let them know we appreciate what they do.
"Everyone's heard of The Oscars. If this campaign takes off, we might have to rename our awards 'The Legends'!"
The closing date for nominations is Sunday 16 April 2023. For more information and to nominate go to: https://yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/local-legend.
