The winners will be announced at a ceremony starting at 6.30pm in the Glasshouse theatre in Port Macquarie on Sunday, January 25.

A total of 29 citizens and 11 community groups were nominated across four categories - Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Community Group of the Year, and Citizen of the Year.

Mayor Peter Besseling said all nominees have contributed a great deal to the community in one way or another and deserve recognition regardless of whether or not they take out the major award in their respective category.

"Our region would not be the same without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers and community groups.

"We need to take this opportunity to thank these people for their amazing efforts and recognise the difference they make on a daily basis," Cr Besseling said.

"This event is free and open to all members of the public to attend and we hope that members of our community will come along and support the nominees."

Young Citizen of the Year nominees: Christa-Dale Morrow and Jessica Rayner.

Senior Citizen of the Year nominees: Alan Anderson, Betty Boyd, Beverley Smith, Bruce Bell, Derek Ford, Edith Walsh, Elizabeth Wallace, James (Jim) Paynter, Janice de Rose, Jim Daniel, Keith Bergin, Kenneth Tanswell, Margaret Moran, Neil Jones, Phillip Passmore, Rhonda Bateman and Russell Hill.

Community Group of the Year nominees: the Bonny Hills Progress Association Inc., Headspace Port Macquarie Youth Reference Group, Herons Creek Heritage Trail Committee, Port Macquarie Animal Welfare Service Inc., Port Macquarie Branch R.S.P.C.A., Riding for the Disabled - Kendall Centre, Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Sunrise Inc., Sailability, Special Olympics Mid North Coast, St Columba Anglican School Interact Club, and the Zonta Club of Port Macquarie Inc.

Citizen of the Year nominees: Alethia Mylonas, Gregory Cavanagh, Heather Lattimore, Kim Rayner, Krissa Wilkinson, Leanne Howlett, Neville Parsons, Therese Glen-Holmes, Virginia Hey and Wendy Hudson.

Our local nominees

Senior Citizen of the Year nominee - Neil Jones (Rollands Plains)

Neil moved into the Rollands Plains area in 1980. From the same year he became a founding member of the Rollands Plains Roads and Bridges Action Group, The Marlo Merrican Community Association and the Rollands Plains Film Club.

For 15 months Neil has been the editor and driving force behind the Rollands Plains Review, the local community newsletter. In 2014 he established the Rollands Plains History Group which continues to collect the history of the area and the residents both past and present.

In September, 2014 Neil was appointed by the Minister for Lands as a Trustee of the Rollands Plains Recreation Reserve Trust for a five year period. Neil has taken on the onerous task of Treasurer. Neil has for a substantial period of time been involved in other community activities such as market, dances and dinners and movie nights. It is evident that Neil has an overwhelming desire to make his and our community a better place and a willingness to serve the community in which he lives.

Citizen of the Year nominee - Greg Cavanagh (Wauchope)

Greg has been involved with community based organisations most of his adult life. Since moving to Wauchope in 2003 he is currently involved as Treasurer with Port Macquarie Hastings Legacy, board member of Wauchope Lions Club (also past President), board member of the Wauchope RSL, Secretary of Yesteryear Truck and Machinery Club, a volunteer with the Westpac Helicopter Service and long-time donor (over 38 years) to Red Cross Blood Service.

Greg was instrumental in the move of the Wauchope Men's Shed to the Show Ground and organised the construction and fit-out of the new facility. With his wife, he coordinates and runs the annual Legacy Badge Week Appeal in Wauchope. Greg was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship by Lions Clubs International for his legendary 'can do' attitude and willingness to help.

Citizen of the Year nominee - Heather Lattimore (Wauchope)

Heather has volunteered 30 years of service with Scouting Australia. She is Team Leader and Group leader of 2nd Wauchope Scouts, Cubs and Joeys.

With a long history of helping the community, her support includes helping the Show Society and Bundaleer Gardens. Heather teaches young people life skills, respect and initiative and undertakes the planning, organisation and supervision in camping, hikes and ongoing programs.

Citizen of the Year nominee - Krissa Wilkinson (Wauchope)

During the last 20 years Krissa has made an enormous contribution to community and cultural development. She has helped establish Wauchope Adult and Community Education, 2WAY FM Community radio, Wauchope Community Arts Council and the Mid North Coast Refugee Support group.

Krissa has led the planning, implementation and coordination of several arts festivals in the Hastings. She continues to be involved in Wauchope Community Arts Council, and is well known to national and international artists who request to perform at the hall in Wauchope. She has certainly maintained a steady focus over the 18 years of Wauchope Community Arts, introducing talented musicians and theatrical performers from many countries to the beautiful mid north coast.

Krissa's artwork has been commissioned by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to include theatrical performances for Water Week and an installation at the Glasshouse. Krissa has conducted numerous local history research projects including 'Autumn Bloomers', 'If those walls could talk', and 'Stalag 383'. Each of these documentaries involved years of research, facilitation and consultation which directly support refugees and help people integrate into the community.

Citizen of the Year nominee - Neville Parsons (Wauchope)

Neville has volunteered significant time to the Wauchope and wider Hastings communities for over 25 years. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Wauchope since 1981. His participation on a variety of health and education boards and local initiatives is consistently backed up with a heavy involvement in all the 'labouring' aspects involved with ensuring community groups succeed. He has served as Past President, Secretary, District Governor, a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Chairman of Rotary Down Under Inc, served on the Bundaleer Nursing Home and Timbertown Management Committees, served on the Wauchope High School Council and Public School Council, board member of the Mid North Coast Local Health Board, and a Director of Life Education NSW - he has consistently demonstrated his willingness to lend not only his profile but his organisational expertise to community causes and events.

Citizen of the Year nominee - Therese Glen-Holmes (Wauchope)

Therese has been a member of the Telegraph Point Community Association from its inception in 1992, holding at various times virtually every position in that organisation, from committee member to President. Her service includes coordinating the Playgroup and Youth Group. She worked on the Telegraph Point School P&C for 10 years. For over 15 years she was an organiser and supervisor of the First Port Macquarie Sea Scouts. She was a founding member of the NSW Rural Fire Service and served in the Telegraph Point Rural Fire Brigade.

Therese publishes the monthly Telegraph Point Newsletter and coordinates the Book Club. In 2012 she established the Telegraph Point Community Facebook Page and the Telegraph Point History and Memories Facebook Page. She is the driving force behind a major Centenary of Anzac project to be held in 2015 and is the guardian of our heritage and the keeper of our history.

Citizen of the Year nominee - Virginia Hey (Wauchope)

Virginia is the Wauchope District Manager and now Region Program Advisor of the Wauchope Girl Guides. She has worked hard to ensure guiding today is attractive for young girls and women, keeping it fun and relevant. Over the past 10 years Virginia has actively encouraged Wauchope Girl Guides to give back to our community through service. This has seen many girls participate in annual Clean Up Australia Days, ANZAC Day marches, regular donations of Christmas Hampers to the Salvation Army, singing of Christmas carols by our girls to the local residents of Bundaleer Retirement home.

Virginia was a scripture teacher at Wauchope Public School from 2004 to 2011. Virginia is a past member of the Byabarra P&C from 2005 to 2011 taking on many roles including Treasurer, Secretary and President, however, Virginia's real passion is Guiding