Rhiannon Varley says she was shocked to hear her name announced as this year’s Maitland Citizen of the Year.
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The Farley resident received the accolade yesterday at Maitland City Council’s annual Australia Day celebration at Maitland Park.
She was chosen from a pool of 13 nominees made up of outstanding people who had gone beyond the call of duty in some capacity for the community.
Ms Varley, 21, has worked to support local charities for more than 10 years.
She has focused on cancer-related causes since her father Tim died from illness at the age of 42.
Ms Varley is known for her exceptional work ethic, commitment to the causes she supports and a drive to help other people.
“We don’t do what we do for the acknowledgement, we do it because we love to see smiles on everybody’s faces once you’ve accomplished what you’ve set out to do,” she said after she won the award.
“I’m very, very shocked. I didn’t expect it at all. I’m very honoured just to have been nominated.
“It’s very humbling. There are so many other people in the community who do amazing things.”
Ms Varley raised more than $20,000 for Camp Quality last year when she trekked the Sandakan-Ranau Death March in Borneo.
She has also supported Daffodil Day, Pink Ribbon Day, Bandanna Day, the Harry Meyn Golf Day and trivia night and Relay for Life.
Mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore, said the citizen of the year award was a way to recognise individuals who worked tirelessly for the community and who were committed to serving other people.
“We received a number of high calibre nominations for this year’s awards and I congratulate Ms Varley on her award and thank her for her wonderful contributions she has made to the community,” he said.