The City of Ryde honoured its 2025 Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Sportsperson of the Year, and Environmental Citizen of the Year at a special ceremony held at North Ryde Golf Club on 20 January.
Community leader Nora Etmekdjian was named Citizen of the Year for her more than 20 years of dedication to Ryde, growing community events, preserving heritage, and championing safety initiatives. Young Citizen of the Year Rajmallan Thiagarajan was recognised for raising $45,000 for leukemia research, promoting diversity, and mentoring peers. Sportsperson of the Year Linda Ham was honoured for her work in transforming community fitness through inclusive programs and award-winning initiatives, while Environmental Citizen of the Year Pamela Ward was celebrated for 35 years of ecological preservation, including co-founding The Habitat Community Nursery and leading bushcare programs.
City of Ryde Mayor Trenton Brown congratulated all nominees across the four award categories.
"We are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of this year's Citizen of the Year Award nominees and winners," said the Mayor Brown.
"Our winners, Nora, Rajmallan, Linda, and Pamela, have each made extraordinary contributions to our community, embodying the values of leadership, inclusivity, and sustainability that make Ryde such a vibrant and diverse place to live. Their dedication inspires us all, and I thank them for their tireless efforts to make our City a better place."
