Penrith City Council has proudly honoured the winners of its 2025 Local Celebration Awards, as well as celebrating Honoured Citizen - Valda Silvy OAM.
Valda Silvy has been the heartbeat of the arts and culture scene in the Penrith region since the 1970s. She was awarded the Honoured Citizen at a special ceremony at the Western Sydney Conference Centre on 22 July 2025.
Four remarkable individuals who have also made significant contributions to the Penrith community were also named recipients of this year's Local Celebration Awards. They included:
- Citizen of the Year Anthony Fryer, who champions and brings cheer to veterans in hospitals and nursing homes and spearheaded the Corridor of Honour at the St Marys Diggers Club.
- Our Mayor's Local Hero Bev Fink, who is a dedicated volunteer and supporter of Cancer Council. Bev gives tirelessly to her local community and is an incredible example of personal resilience.
- Young Citizen of the Year Amelia Grace Williams-Wilson whose long list of humanitarian and academic achievement is astonishing for anyone, let alone a person of her age, and
- Making a Difference - Community Service Award winner Heike Forth, a remarkable figure in the Penrith sporting community who has dedicated over 50 years as an athlete, coach, administrator and volunteer.
At the award ceremony, Council also recognised locals who have received Australia Day Honours and King's Birthday Honours in 2025. This included:
2025 Australia Day Honourees
• Noemie Fox OAM - For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Olympic Games 2024.
• Royce Simmons OAM - For service to rugby league as a player and coach.
• David Bertenshaw OAM - For service to soccer as an administrator and coach
• Vivienne Bertenshaw OAM - For service to netball as an administrator and coach.
2025 King's Birthday Honourees
• Cheryl Goh OAM - For service to the Indigenous community of Sydney, and to education.
• June Roots OAM - For service to the community of Penrith.
• Lance Miller - For distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service.
• Jennifer Westacott AC - For eminent service to business, to tertiary education administration, to the mental health sector, and to the community, and
• Jo-ann Morris OAM and Michael Morris OAM - For service to the community through charitable organisations.
Penrith City Mayor Todd Carney expressed his admiration for the honourees and said each recipient demonstrated exceptional dedication to enhancing the lives of residents in Penrith.
"These awards celebrate the incredible spirit and dedication within our community," Cr Carney said.
"Each of these individuals has shown remarkable commitment to making Penrith a better place for all. Their efforts inspire us all to contribute positively to our City and uplift those around us."
