Tamworth awards dedicated volunteers in annual Local Legend Awards to recognise commitment to community

The Town Hall was full to the brim with residents of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life.

But they all had one thing in common.

Each and every one of them has volunteered and dedicated their time to servicing and helping the Tamworth community.

Local Legend of the Year was Kristi Cini, a dedicated dance teacher who's top priority is putting her students' mental and physical well-being first.

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Although she didn't consider herself legend material, Ms Cini said she was honoured to take out the title and be recognised for her work.

"I care a lot more about the people we are raising more than the dancing they're doing," she said.

The talented performer actively promotes sportsmanship, kindness and professionalism to her 230 students and their families.

"I think it's really important that young people are given education and role models about being good people," she said.

"I'm much prouder of that part of our business, because I think it's quite unique and that will stick with kids forever."

Ms Cini also took out the Performing Arts Award for her role in choreographing the Tamworth Musical Society's successful production of Mamma Mia.

Voted Adult Volunteer of the Year was Dave Farrenden who keeps locals up to date about key local weather events, dam levels, flood, fire and snow on social media.

Mr Farrenden said while he was humbled to accept the award, the Tamworth Regional Weather Facebook page was a group effort.

"It's not just my effort," he said.

"I said to the guys when I got nominated that at the end of the day it's going to be for the whole team because we all do the work."

Mr Farrenden said the team had been through a "pretty traumatic few years" with floods and droughts so it was nice to be recognised for their effort.

Thalia Barwick was crowned Youth Volunteer of the Year for her work on the Tamworth Regional Youth Council, Project Paper Hearts and youth mental health in rural areas.

Ms Barwick said she was honoured to receive the award but status and glory wasn't the reason she volunteers.

"It's really nice to be recognised for it but of course it's not the reason why you do it, I find joy in seeing the people that I help everyday."

Senior Volunteer of the Year went to Denise Sullivan who works tirelessly across the community with various groups and organisations, including the St Vincent de Paul Society, Meals on Wheels, St Edwards Catholic Parish, the Parkinson's Support Group and Tamworth's Lioness Club.

Tamworth's Guru Nanak Mission were recognised with the Community Inclusion Award for their extensive work across the community in championing blood donation drives, appeals for local fire and emergency services and providing free meals to people in need.

The Seniors Award went to James Peter Jordan for his extensive work with ex-services groups and people within the Tamworth region.

Catherine Rae was recognised for her instrumental work in developing and coordination the Tamworth Wheelchair Sports Committee with the Access Award.

In the creative sphere, the Visual Arts Award went to Leonie Kelly for her work in producing the international award winning short historical movie 'Mungo' and for promoting the local Gamilaraay indigenous language.

Locals have Rosemary Milson to thank for keeping Tamworth green as she took home the Sustainability Award for her endless work in reducing, reusing and recycling. Ms Milson is active in a number of sustainability groups and promotes water-wise native gardens, tree planting, recycling, volunteering and education.

In the Gift of Time recognition section, a number of local groups and organisations were recognised for their total amount of hours volunteered with the Salvation Army clocking up the most time spent servicing the community.

Also recognised in the Gift of Time section was the Australian Country Music Foundation, Australian Red Cross Tamworth branch volunteers, Co Care, Bendemeer's Country Women's Association, Friends of Tamworth Regional Gallery, Kootingal's Country Women's Association, Kootingal/Moonbi Rural Fire Brigade, Tamworth's Lions Club, Moonbi Museum Committee, Moonbi War Memorial and Recreation Reserve Committee, Nandewar Historical Society, North Companions Football Club, Riding for the Disabled, Ronald McDonald House Tamworth, Rotary Club of Tamworth First Light, Scouts Australia North West Region, Serendipity Committee Tamworth, St John Ambulance, Tamworth and District Model Engineers, Tamworth Can Assist, Tamworth Football Club, Tamworth Girl Guides, Tamworth Meals on Wheels, Tamworth Mental Health Carers Support Group, Tamworth Musical Society, Tamworth Powerstation Museum, Tamworth Red Cross Trauma Teddy team, Tamworth Regional Gallery, Tamworth Songwriters Association, and Tamworth Tricolours.

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