The founding member of the SeeChange Winter Arts Festival and long serving president of Jervis Bay and Basin Arts was recognised at the Australia Day Awards ceremony on Thursday night. 

As a former Nowra High student, Ms Robertson has a Bachelor of Education in Visual Arts and has been sharing her love for the arts throughout her teaching career and inspiring others to create at the highest level.

Through her arts roles in the community, she has been connecting, collaborating and inspiring residents and visitors alike to partake in the region’s cultural life. 

Ms Robertson said she felt “humbled and honoured “ to be named citizen of the year. 

“I’ve lived in the Shoalhaven for pretty much my entire life and I felt so humbled to be sitting with all these people I’ve known forever,” she said. 

“It’s exciting and I’m still very shocked.” 

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Ms Robertson said one of the highlights of her extensive career was the formation of the Jervis Bay and Basin Arts Group.

“With that we started the Seechange Festival which has been happening every two years since 2000,” she said. 

“Every year it has continued to flourish and it’s really reinvigorated the community.” 

Ms Robertson said art played a huge role in the Shoalhaven, as it had the ability to bring people together and draw on the region’s rich history. 

“We live in one of the best places in the world and art brings people together to celebrate that,” she said. 

The annual Shoalhaven Australia Day Awards acknowledged 11 unsung community heroes’ from around the region in eight categories including Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Sportsperson of the Year and Young Sportsperson of the Year.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley said she was incredibly proud of all residents who were recognised at the celebrations.

“The Shoalhaven Australia Day Awards allow the Community to nominate individuals in their community who have gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of others,” she said. 

“The latest inductees have all performed at the highest level. They have risen above the odds to carve out sporting careers that are inspirational.”

Young Citizen Award – Lachlan Page 

Has been described as an outstanding citizen and shining beacon to our community. A natural born leader Lachlan has been actively involved in NSW Scouts for many years and in 2015 achieved the Australian Scouts Medallion, the highest award in Scouting.

A young person with profound love and pride for his community, 18-year-old Lachlan is also a volunteer member for NSW Rural Fire Service.

 Young Citizen Highly Commended- Takesa Frank 

An incredible contributor to the Ulladulla High School community who is a passionate advocate for the environment and student mental health. As an indigenous school leader and school captain Takesa brings creativity to every task she undertakes.

Involved in countless programs and projects in her school community including; Nude Food Week, Removal of Plastic Bottles, UHS NAIDOC debating team, Environment Day and the establishment of the UHS Markets.

Outstanding Contribution to an Inclusive Shoalhaven –Dora Rognvaldsdottir

Recognised for outstanding contribution to the arts and her community. Dora has worked with young people to provide opportunities for them to engage in meaningful artmaking pursuits, which have had significant impacts on developing positive mental health outcomes, inclusive community attitudes and individual creativity.

Dora has worked with countless community groups to engage in Inclusive Art programs including: PCYC NSW, Nowra Public School, Youth Community Artist for Shoalhaven City Council, Ulladulla Youth Centre and Sanctuary Point Community Centre, Nowra High School, Bomaderry High School, SeeChange Winter Festival and Nowra Players.

Outstanding Contribution to the Environment –Sandy Aureli 

An instrumental member of the Milton Ulladulla community, Sandy has been acknowledged for her tireless commitment to building a sustainable Shoalhaven for future generations. Sandy has been actively engaged in community and environmental projects since moving to the region nine years ago. As the secretary of Milton District Branch of the CWA Sandy has reenergized the organisation and is enthusiastically involved in Milton Ulladulla Artfest, Boomerang Bags, Take 3 for the Sea and the MUDsingers.

Outstanding Contribution to Arts & Culture – Alison Tait 

Acknowledged for her contribution to the Arts. An established Australian non-fiction author, Alison has more than 25 years’ experience in magazines, newspapers and online publishing. Now an established Young Adult author and her adventure seriesThe Mapmaker Chronicles and The Ateban Cipherare are international best-sellers.

She actively promotes her creative writing by co-hosting the top-rating podcast, So You Want To Be A Writer and regularly speaking at schools and writers festivals around the country including: Sydney Writers’ Festival, Brisbane Writers’, Singapore Writer’s Festival and more.

Outstanding Contribution to Arts & Culture – Highly Commended Maxwell Dingle 

An active, tireless, generous advocate and supporter of the creative and performing arts in the Shoalhaven. Max’s contribution to the cultural life of our region encompasses: being a practising visual artist in a number of disciplines; voluntary work as researcher, curator and writer for the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery (SRG) and the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum (JBMM); fundraising for community arts organisations and festivals such as, Jervis Bay and Basin Arts Inc. and the SeeChange Jervis Bay Arts Festival;

Outstanding Contribution to Arts & Culture – Highly Commended Ona Frazier

For more than 30 years Ona has been enriching the lives of others through the art of classical music. A classical opera singer and a tireless advocate for promoting classical music throughout the region. With students from the age of five to ninety-five, Ona’s great love for music has been inspiring. Ona has been involved in working with and fundraising for many community groups including: Shoalhaven Eisteddfods, Shoalhaven Lydian Singers, Albatross Musical Theatre Company, Noah’s Ark, Royal Institute for the Deaf and Blind and Parkinson’s Support Group.

Outstanding Emerging Artist – Karen Akehurst 

The Director of the inaugural Shoalhaven Readers and Writers Festival Karen has dedicated her time and energy to promoting the Shoalhaven arts community.

The festival brought together Shoalhaven readers and writers, so they can connect with each other.

Karen has been acknowledged for promotion of literacy and building awareness of books, reading and writing throughout the Shoalhaven.