Hurstville Council hosted its annual Australia Day Awards on January 22.
The people who made a mark on their community are: Mary Kranitis, Citizen of the Year, Christopher Li, Young Citizen of the Year and Kiera Warn, Young Sportsperson of the Year.
They are pictured with Hurstville mayor Con Hindi and Australia Day ambassador Selwa Anthony.
Mary Kranitis, Citizen of the Year.
Mrs Kranitis is the founder of Juvenile Arthritis Fundraiser and works tirelessly to raise funds that help children with juvenile arthritis.
With her own son battling the condition since the age of two, Mrs Kranitis has been instrumental in fundraising more than $700,000 over the past seven years for further research into the cause of this debilitating condition.
Thanks to her hard work and commitment the Juvenile Arthritis Fundraiser opened the first ever research laboratory in Australia and New Zealand at the University of New South Wales.
Christopher Li, Young Citizen of the Year.
Christopher, year ten student at Caringbah Selective High School, is a sergeant in the Australian Air League’s Riverwood Squadron.
He has shown dedication beyond his years and has demonstrated a great ability to lead and motivate others to achieve the very best they can.
Also a talented tenor, bass and snare drummer, Christopher freely shares his knowledge.
He is pretty good at school as well, having received numerous awards for his academic and sporting achievements. He aspires to a career in the military.
Kiera Warn, Young Sportsperson of the Year.
Kiera is a talented swimmer who strives to be the best sportsperson she can be and an outstanding role model for her peers.
She has achieved outstanding success in swimming both in the pool and surf competitions and at the state level. Her achievements include gold medals in the under 11 Girls Surf Swim; under 11 Girls Board Relay; silver medals in the under 11 Girls Iron Woman, under 12 Girls Board Relay and under 13 Girls Board Rescue.