Local News: Australia Day underway, awards handed out

Celebrations across the region


Article heading image for Local News: Australia Day underway, awards handed out

Celebrations today across the region as we recognise those in the community making a real difference.

At a ceremony last night in Port Macquarie mayor Peta Pinson bestowed the 2018 citizen of the year award on Geoff Shelton, for his continued efforts in looking after our coastal environment.

Senior citizen of the year is George Campbell, involved in a number of projects in Port Macquarie and Wauchope, and the young Aussie of the year is Rhiannon Simmonds.

She's been a young leader at Port Macquarie High School, part of the local Youth Advisory Council and an advocate for sustainable living.


Meantime the region has also been honoured in the Governor Generals Awards.

3 locals have been recognised for their selfless service with a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Those include Richard Marocco, Greg Laird, and Hellen Guthrie, for their service to the community of Port Macquarie.

While out enjoying the celebrations though Port macquarie hastings council's Lucilla marshall says it's important to do the right thing.

"We'll have a ban on all of alcohol at our parks, beaches and reserves," she said

We want everyone to have fun but we don't want any antisocial behavior, and this is the best way to ensure that."

The long weekend holiday road blitz also begun across the Mid North Coast, with police out in force for Operation Safe Return, ready to issue double demerits to anyone caught doing the wrong thing behind the wheel.

25 January 2018




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