It was fantastic to attend this year’s Australia Day Awards ceremony and meet the incredible award nominees and winners.

These are people who have gone above and beyond the call to serve the community they love, and it’s fitting they have been acknowledged for their significant contributions.

Congratulations to the winner of the Central Coast Citizen of the Year Award for 2025, Happiness Habits, a not-for-profit organisation supporting disadvantaged women. Happiness Habits has an enormous impact on the lives of women facing social isolation, domestic violence and mental health challenges. Their ongoing commitment to rebuilding lives, creating safe places, and sharing information is to be commended.

Other very worthy award recipients were Betty Brown (Senior Citizen of the Year Award) Louise Chiekrie (Community Life Award), The Bikers Hand Inc (Community Group Award), Derryck Klarkowski and Paul Mikkelsen (joint winners, Volunteer Award) and Matilda Taylor (Young Person Award).

On behalf of our community, I would like to congratulate everyone who was nominated for an Australia Day award in 2025. Being nominated means that you have been acknowledged, your efforts are appreciated, and your contribution celebrated.

Mayor Lawrie McKinna

Read more about each of our Australia Day 2025 award winners

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Photo (L-R): Betty Brown (Senior Citizen Award), Happiness Habits Inc, represented by Leonie Hanna (Citizen of the Year Award), Paul Mikkelsen (Volunteer Award, joint winner), Central Coast Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna, The Bikers Hand Inc, represented by Tony Davis (Community Group Award), Louise Chiekrie (Community Life Award), Derryck Klarkowski (Volunteer Award, joint winner), and Matilda Taylor (Young Person Award).