Blue Mountains News

In just a few short minutes, you could nominate an individual or organisation for one of the following categories: 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.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said, "Once again, I am asking Blue Mountains residents to ‘show a local legend some love’.

“Our community is vibrant, resilient and caring because we share it with so many people, from all walks of life, who choose to do good things for others. Now is the time to thank those ‘local legends’ who give so generously themselves.

“These Awards celebrate people and organisations who may not otherwise get the public recognition their good deeds deserve.

“Nominating is quick and easy; all it takes to let someone know how much they matter is to answer three simple questions. I believe each of us can find a few  minutes to thank another for all they have done.” 

Nominations are sought for Blue Mountains residents from all backgrounds who are a local legend at just about anything including community service, business, science and technology, arts and entertainment, sport, education, or the environment.

Award winners come from diverse backgrounds and serve the community in different, but equally valuable, ways. The Award recipients for 2024 were:

2024 Citizen of the Year – Christopher Smith

Christopher Smith made a signi?cant di?erence to the prevention of loneliness, improved wellbeing and increased connection in the Blue Mountains through his organisation, Shared Reading NSW.

2024 Senior Citizen of the Year – Jackie Mayers

Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group volunteer, Jackie Mayers, co-founded the Youth Shoebox Project which coordinates contributions from the Blue Mountains community to provide Christmas gifts for refugee and asylum-seeking children in Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

2024 Community Achievement of the Year – Hotel Etico

Established in November 2020, Mount Victoria’s Hotel Etico is Australia's first not-for-profit social enterprise hotel, employing and training young adults with disability in hospitality and independent living skills.

Closing date for nominations is Friday, 17 October 2025. For more information and to nominate go to: here