Newcastle Knights legend Mark Hughes ­provided one of the highlights of the evening as the guest speaker with Paralympian Maddi Elliott ­taking out the main prize at the 50th edition of the awards.

Elliott became one of only three athletes to win back-to-back awards on Friday night after her ­triumph in 2012.

Maitland MP Robyn Parker, the mayor Cr Peter Blackmore and councillors Brian Burke and Henry Meskauskas were at Maitland Town Hall for the city’s biggest sports night.

Hughes, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last year, spoke candidly about his 10-year NRL career with the Knights as well as his battle with ­illness.

Another of the night’s main events was the ­auction of three items – a television from the Good Guys East Maitland, a framed 2014 Newcastle Knights jersey and catering for 30 people by Coast to Coast Roast – that began online and finished at the event to raise money for the Mark Hughes Foundation for cancer sufferers, their families and research.

Along with the auction items, raffle tickets,­­ ­donations made by guests and $1000 from the Mercury, the evening raised $4500 for the ­foundation.

Mercury reader Maureen Brown from Rutherford will receive a $1000 gift card to spend at Stockland Green Hills after her name went into the draw for voting in the People’s Choice Award.