Once again residents of the Kiama LGA have been well represented in the Kiama Electorate Community Recognition Awards, to honour outstanding local volunteers and small businesses.

"It is an opportunity to stop and pause and say thank you to everyone who makes this a wonderful place to live," said the Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, before the presentations.

Five of the six Outstanding Local Citizens came from our area: Belinda Brooks, Kelvin Milne, Aunty Trish Levett, Kelly Lambert and Mark Burns.

Three of the four Outstanding Emergency Services Volunteers came from our LGA: Tim Anderson and Aapo Skorulis from the SES and Hanna McInerney from the Jamberoo RFS.

Outstanding Local Volunteer awards went to Bruce Ray and the CWA Kiama Evening Branch.

Sally Fitzgibbons accepting her award

The Conservation Champion Award went to Paul Berry for his longstanding tree planting efforts at Kiama High; surfer Sally Fitzgibbons was presented with the Outstanding Local Sports Award; and Ross Douglas was named as an Outstanding Sports Administrator for his work at Jamberoo Tennis Club.

All of the Outstanding Local Small Businesses came from our area: The Hill Bar & Kitchen, Stacks Burger House, Diggies Cafe, Burnetts On Barney, Heart & Sol Organics, Bluestone Building Group and Avcon Projects.