Rural Fire Service representatives took out three major awards at Cessnock's Australia Day ceremony on Tuesday.
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Lower Hunter RFS Inspector Glenn Byrnes received the Citizen of the Year award; long-serving Kearsley brigade members Les and Jane Goldie were named senior citizens of the year, and Central RFS volunteer Bethany Dwyer was named young citizen of the year at the ceremony at Cessnock Performing Arts Centre.
Mr Byrnes, of Bellbird, was recognised for his extensive work in the community, which also includes more than 30 years of service to Cessnock Lions Club.
He has also given his time to appear as Santa Claus at council's much-loved Christmas Carols event for many years.
Mr Byrnes said he was "shocked, proud and emotional" when his name was announced as the winner.
Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent said Mr Byrnes is constantly demonstrating community spirit.
"Glenn is an outstanding member of our community. His involvement stretches over three decades, back to when he first joined Cessnock Lions Club where he has held many positions and has been a driving force in the many ventures the club are involved in," Cr Pynsent said.
"His employment as a Rural Fire Service Inspector has also been extremely valuable to our community and its safety. His guidance and leadership was vital during the 2019/2020 bushfire emergency.
"He is also a fantastic Santa!"
Mr and Mrs Goldie were recognised for their dedication to the Kearsley community, particularly through their roles in the RFS brigade, serving 52 and 25 years respectively.
Mrs Goldie was also instrumental to the establishment of the Kearsley Community Hall Committee and Kearsley Tidy Town Committee, and the community-minded duo is often seen out and about in the community tending to local gardens and maintenance works in public areas.
Young citizen of the year Bethany Dwyer, 25, has been a member of the Central RFS brigade for seven years, and is also volunteer at PCYC Cessnock, where she runs the Fit For Life program two days a week.
Ms Dwyer also graduated from the Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) program at the top of her class, and was a finalist in the Rotary Rural Inspirational Women's Award in 2020.
The Maree Callaghan Award for Young Female Achiever went to Isabella Metcalfe for her outstanding leadership. Isabella is a volunteer for Hunter Hands of Hope, a member of Cessnock Girl Guides (working towards attaining the Queen's Guide award), Coalfields United Amateur Swim Club (where she is a Special Olympics support person) and Cessnock PCYC.
The major award winners will be community representatives throughout 2021, acting as ambassadors for Youth Week, Seniors Week and other council functions.
The community event of the year award was presented to Cessnock Leagues Club for its International Women's Day charity dinner.
The dinner in March last year was one of the last community events in the town before the coronavirus shutdown, with 100 people in attendance, and raised $3700 for Got Your Back Sista, a charity helping women escape domestic violence and regain their independence.
Wollombi Landcare president Chris Jackson received the environmental award for his environmental contribution to the Wollombi Brook. Mr Jackson is also a long-serving member of the Laguna Rural Fire Brigade.
Community awards were presented to Emerson Worthington, for his volunteer work with St John Ambulance; and current and former Cessnock High students Jesse Knight, Siara Nash, Kadie Sondermeyer, Jennefer Wratten and Katherine Kennedy for their leadership and contribution to local charities.
Denise Townley received the Marthaville Arts and Cultural Award for her dedication to the Beyond Church Cessnock Creative Academy.
Another highlight of the event was the induction of 14 new citizens, who were among 12,000 people across the nation to take the citizenship pledge on Tuesday.
Pynsent welcomed the newest citizens and said Australia Day is a very memorable day to become an Australian citizen.
Cessnock's Australia Day ambassador, former National Basketball League coach Bob Turner, fondly recalled the day he became an Australian citizen.
He took the oath in front of more than 10,000 people at the Sydney Entertainment Centre during his second-last game coaching the Sydney Kings in 1995, and has been an Australia Day ambassador every year since.
"Australia is a place that I proudly love to call my home," he said.
This year's ceremony was a smaller affair due to COVID-19 restrictions, with about 100 people in attendance, including award winners, new citizens and their families, and invited guests.
The ceremony was livestreamed via Cessnock City Council's Facebook page for those who could not attend (watch the entire video below).