Four community award wins

Four of Gosford Council's seven Australia Day community award winners come from the Peninsula.

Paralympic gold medallist Ms Liesl Tesch was named 2013 Citizen of the Year for her contribution to the sport.

Former local MP Ms Marie Andrews received the senior category award for serving the Gosford community for over two decades.

Ms Rebecca Bennett, from Woy Woy Rec Physie Club, won the sport award for excelling in physical culture.

Umina Surf Life Saving Club won the volunteer group award for providing surf lifesaving services to the community for the past 53 years.

The awards ceremony was held at the Erina Centre on Saturday, January 19.

Gosford mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna congratulated all winners and nominees at this year's event.

"Nominees across all categories in this year's Awards have worked hard for causes they believe in which have significantly contributed to our local community.

"These awards give us a chance to say thank you for making Gosford City a better place in which to live and work and let the nominees know their hard work and passion has not gone unnoticed," said mayor Cr McKinna.

Australia Day Committee chairman Cr Jim Macfadyen said winners at this year's Awards excelled in their respective fields.

"Judging is always a difficult task for the panel as so many people have done so much.

"Winners of the 2013 Australia Day Community Awards have helped to enrich our community in a number of ways and this is a small way the citizens of Gosford City can say thank you," said Cr Macfadyen.

Pictured are award recipients Brad Cardis, Rebecca Bennett, Rhys Zorro, Cr Jim Macfadyen, Liesl Tesch, mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna, Pauline Wright, Jason van Genderen and Christine Lavers representing Umina Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

Media Release, 19 Jan 2013

Lawrie McKinna, Gosford Council