On a chilly and windy winter evening, Mayor Neil Reilly announced the nine winners of the Local Government Awards 2024, against the backdrop of a packed Pavilion Kiama.

Family, friends, colleagues, team and club members had turned out in full on Tuesday, July 30, to celebrate the recipients.

The Local Government Awards are part of Local Government Week, which runs from 29 July-4 August, and which also coincides with the anniversary of the founding of the municipality. Aunty Gwenda Jarrett gave a beautiful Welcome to Country, saying "To receive a nomination is as good as receiving an award."

This weekend, on 27 July, the winners of the Local Government Regional NAIDOC Awards 2024 were celebrated at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, hosted by the Shoalhaven City Council in collaboration with the councils of Kiama, Shellharbour and Wollongong.

Mayor Neil Reilly and Citizen of the Year recipient Michael Gleeson. Credit: Kiama Council.

Werri Beach resident Michael Gleeson won the Citizen of the Year award for his over 40 years of community service, including his environmental advocacy work.

“I’m being recognised for doing good things for the town, making it a better place to live in,” he replies as to what it means to win the award.

But Gleeson admits being a bit embarrassed by it all, although “my family is so pleased.”

“I can live with having my photo taken a couple of times,” he adds with a smile.

Senior Citizen of the Year recipient Rhonda Bailey and mayor Neil Reilly. Credit: Kiama Council.

Rhonda Bailey of Gerringong received the Senior Citizen of the Year award for her long-standing contributions to community organisations such as the Gerringong Tennis Club and the Children’s Medical Research Institute.

Bailey found out that she had won a couple of weeks ago but had no idea that she had been nominated.

“It came as a huge surprise,” she says. Although it didn’t take long, more like “two seconds,” to figure out who had put her forward.

But she’s feeling embarrassed over the nomination since there are “lots of people who do great volunteer work in Gerringong.”

Grace Stewart's brother Hamish and mayor Neil Reilly. Credit: Kiama Council.

Grace Stewart, the triple Olympian born and bred in Gerringong, was added to the Sports Honour Roll for her exceptional achievements in field hockey. 

With the Hockeyroos co-captain currently at the Paris Olympics (where she’s scored two goals so far), Stewart’s brother Hamish received the award on her behalf.

“She thanks the Kiama Council and community. It doesn’t go unnoticed, it’s greatly appreciated,” he said.

Complete list of recipients of the Local Government Awards 2024: 

• Citizen of the Year: Michael Gleeson 
• Senior Citizen of the Year: Rhonda Bailey 
• Community Group of the Year: Country Women’s Association Kiama Evening Branch 
• Arts Honour Roll: Tamara Campbell 
• Sports Honour Roll: Grace Stewart 
• Sports Achievement Award: Nardia Guillaumier 
• Sports Volunteer Award: Karon Dawson 
• Robert East Memorial Award: Berbel Franse 
• Megan Dalley Award: Hallie Le Maître.

Country Women's Association Kiama Evening Branch's Katherine Brennan accepting the Community Group of the Year award on the group's behalf and mayor Neil Reilly. Credit: Kiama Council.

Dean Jaye accepting the Arts Honour Roll on behalf of Tamara Campbell, and mayor Neil Reilly. Credit: Kiama Council.

Sports Achievement Award recipient Nardia Guillaumier and mayor Neil Reilly. Credit: Kiama Council.

Sports Volunteer Award recipient Karon Dawson and mayor Neil Reilly. Credit: Kiama Council.

Jenny Drummond for the East Family, Robert East Memorial Awards recipient Berbel Franse and mayor Neil Reilly. Credit: Kiama Council.

Roz Dalley, Megan Dalley Award recipient Hallie Le Maitre and mayor Neil Reilly. Credit: Kiama Council.