An official awards ceremony is held each year to honour those that have contributed to the community in the past 12 months or in an ongoing capacity. 

This year was no different, with crowd favourite Fran Artese taking out the top honour of citizen of the year. 

She was honoured for her years of charity work and more recently for putting together and organising a community Christmas luncheon. 

“I’m very shocked and surprised by this,” she said. 

“I, like everyone else up here, don’t do any of it for the recognition, but it’s an honour nonetheless. I owe everything to my mum and the beautiful people of Leeton.”

June Dilorenzo was named as this year’s achiever of the year for her efforts in fund-raising to upgrade Madonna Place. 

Taking out the young citizen of the year title was Brianna Celi. Brianna has been an active member of the SteppinOut4Youth junior crew) since its inception nine months ago. She also regularly volunteers her time to help at the centre and with numerous community groups and fund-raisers.

Young achiever of the year went to Skye Bloomfield for her work with numerous community groups and not-for-profit organisations.

This year the category of event, group and organisation was divided into three separate awards. Taking out event of the year was the Leeton Show Society for its centenary celebrations in 2015. 

Group of the year went to the SteppinOut4Youth junior crew, while the Leeton Volunteer Rescue Association was named organisation of the year. 

Captain Glen Hehir the VRA had received the award. Everything we do, we do for the people of Leeton,” he said. 

“It’s always an honour to know people appreciate what we do and always help us out with all the fund-raisers and donations we receive.”

This year’s lifelong citizen to the shire went to John and Carol Power. They were unable to attend the ceremony, with their daughter Natalie accepting the award on their behalf.