A local media editor, a young athlete, a passionate volunteer, a disability champion and a mental health advocate are just a few of the individuals recognised in the 2024 Local Celebration Awards, with the winners announced at Penrith City Council’s June Ordinary Meeting.
The Local Celebration Awards, now in their fourth year, recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions made by people in the Penrith community. This year seven individuals have been acknowledged across four categories.
The 2024 Citizen of the Year is Troy Dodds, local media editor, mentor, volunteer emcee and host. Thanks in part to Troy’s vision and determination, our community is fortunate to still have a resilient local newspaper sharing local stories and homegrown voices.
The 2024 Young Citizen of the Year is Jack Conroy. Everyone who knows Jack has been inspired to watch him overcome obstacles, reach extraordinary milestones and make it to the highest levels of sporting, educational and community achievements.
There are two Mayor’s Local Heroes for 2024: Mike Hicks, a dedicated community organiser and the Managing Partner of Outback Steakhouse in Penrith. Mike is a familiar face to many, thanks to his tireless fundraising for local schools, sporting clubs and charitable organisations. Our second Mayor’s Local Hero is Julie Parsons, who – despite the significant challenges she has faced – blazes a trail and lives an extraordinary life with disability.
There are three recipients of the Making a Difference – Community Service Award. Angela Lambros champions the importance of support networks in our community; she founded the Penrith Women’s Walk and Talk which provides a safe social space for women to gather, connect and build community. Bailey Hand is a valued volunteer at Mama Lana’s Community Foundation, where he prepares and serves meals for people experiencing food insecurity, always with his characteristic kindness and good humour. Lucinda Harvey founded Saving True Blues, a mental health charity which runs four-wheel driving weekends, creating safe spaces and combating the stigma of discussing mental health.
Penrith Mayor Todd Carney said that the Local Celebration Awards are an important annual milestone and remind us to reflect on how we can all be of service.
“Contributions to our community can come in many forms, and these Awards help us acknowledge and celebrate the people making those contributions,” Cr Carney said.
“It could be helping others in a time of crisis, volunteering or simply living an extraordinary life and leading by example – the Local Celebration Awards bring together and recognise local heroes from our everyday lives,” Cr Carney remarked.
Penrith’s 2024 Local Celebration Awards ceremony will be held on 25 July at St Marys Leagues Club.
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Image Captions:
Photo 1: Troy Dodds is Citizen of the Year in the Local Celebration Awards
Photo 2: Mike Hicks is a Mayor’s Local Hero in the Local Celebration Awards
Photo 3: Julie Parsons is a Mayor’s Local Hero in the Local Celebration Awards
