Penrith City Council has proudly celebrated the remarkable achievements of its 2026 Local Celebration Awards recipients and the newest Honoured Citizen, Bruce Turner AM.
Bruce Turner has dedicated more than 50 years of service to the Penrith region and beyond, chairing and serving on audit committees for over 40 organisations spanning multiple sectors, many of which directly support our local community.
A lifelong Penrith local, he was awarded Penrith’s City’s highest honour for serving as an unofficial ambassador and continuously championing the interests of the City, and our community.
Several other outstanding individuals were also recognised for their significant contributions to Penrith. The award recipients included:
- Citizen of the Year – Patricia Quinlan has been an active volunteer throughout her entire life. She is known for her can-do attitude, infectious smile, warm hugs, listening ear and friendly disposition.
- Our Mayor’s Local Hero – Mujgan Tahery through her role as CEO of the Uniting Circle Multicultural Community Centre, has created a safe, inclusive and empowering space for individuals and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Young Citizen of the Year – Ella Johnson is particularly interested in improving the health system as she has had her own experiences accessing health services over many years and wants to see change in this area.
- Making a Difference Community Service Award winners – David Conroy and Karen Witherspoon have made a difference to the lives of others through their passionate leadership of the Nepean Dragons Soccer. They have provided a safe, welcoming and empowering environment for players of all abilities, so they can enjoy the game they love.
At the award ceremony, Council also recognised locals who have received Australia Day Honours and King’s Birthday Honours in 2026. This included:
2026 Australia Day Honourees
- Farah Madon AM
- Michael Allen PSM OAM
- Tony Lackey OAM
2026 King’s Birthday Honourees
- Sergent Sally Cox APM
- Michael Kovacs AFSM
Penrith City Mayor Todd Carney praised the honourees, acknowledging the lasting difference they have made to the community.
“These awards are a testament to the generosity and unwavering commitment of our local heroes,” Cr Carney said.
“Their dedication not only strengthens the fabric of our City, but also sets an example for all of us. We are grateful for their passion and the positive change they bring to Penrith every day.”
