The council's children's and young adults' librarian Melinda McNaughton recently won the prestigious Marjorie Cotton Award.

The honour was bestowed on her by the Australian Library and Information Association for an outstanding contribution to library services for young people.

Marjorie Cotton was the state's first professionally qualified children's librarian.

Ms McNaughton was nominated by her peers for her dedication and commitment to co-ordinating all activities in Sutherland Shire libraries for children and young adults as well as supervising the purchase and selection of resources.

The council was also highly commended in the R.H. Dougherty Awards, which were co-ordinated by the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW to promote excellence in communication.

The council was honoured for its 2006-07 annual report.

The council's Seniors' Week activities, including the Healthy Ageing Expo, were also highly commended in the Heart Foundation Local Government Awards.

Both awards were presented during the Local Government Week ceremony.

Mark O'Brien