The winners of the 2025 Shoalhaven Australia Day Awards have been announced at a combined citizenship ceremony in Sussex Inlet.
Twenty six people were nominated for the three awards, with winners selected by the Shoalhaven City Australia Day judging panel.
David Vadre Jones won the Shoalhaven Citizen Award for his tireless volunteer work and fundraising. He was the driving force behind the establishment of the Coastal Patrol and Neighbourhood Centre in Sussex Inlet, combined with his involvement in the local Men’s Shed, Neighbourhood Watch and volunteering at Inasmuch Community Residential Aged Care.
William Dewsbury-Love was awarded the Shoalhaven Young Citizen Award for being an integral member of the Shoalhaven High School community for six years, demonstrating a genuine passion for creating positive change both at school and beyond.
The Proudly Shoalhaven Award, open to individuals and community groups, was given to North Shoalhaven Meals on Wheels which has been operating for 58 years with an army of 250 volunteers who cook, pack and deliver meals each day throughout the Shoalhaven, while Peter Williams, who has played his bugle at Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services at local schools to thousands of students for the past 20 years, received highly commended for the Proudly Shoalhaven Award.
“Congratulations to all our award winners and nominees for their tireless work and valuable contribution to their communities,” Mayor Patricia White said.
“Through selfless dedication, our exceptional winners and nominees have contributed to making the Shoalhaven the wonderful place it is today,” Cr White said.
Accomplished sports journalist, broadcaster and humanitarian, Andy Paschalidis addressed the event as Australia Day Ambassador and facilitated free heart health testing kiosks at the community event in Sussex Inlet, as part of his charity, Heartbeat of Football.
More than 140 people attended the event, including 32 conferees and their families, welcoming the city’s newest citizens from Bangladesh, Canada, Germany, India, Iran, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdon and United States.
