Joe Tau and his wife, Joanne were recognised for their community work over five years while Timothy Hodge,10, for his achievements in sport particularly in swimming and athletics.

The Community Event of the Year was awarded to Jalsa Salana, an annual convention which occurs over three days in April at the Bait-ul-Huda Mosque in Marsden Park that has grown from a small event in 1983 to a gathering of over 3000 people in 2011.

Blacktown mayor councillor Alan Pendleton announced this at a special Australia Day Awards function at Blacktown Council where more than 200 people were also naturalized at the Citizenship Ceremony, making it one of the biggest Citizenship Ceremonies in Australia.

Cr Pendleton said Joe and Joanne were awarded the top honour for their long term commitment to voluntary work performed over the last five years and now in coordinating a community youth group.

‘‘ Through their efforts Joe and Joanne have, with the assistance of service providers, mobilized local youth to engage in programs which engage youth who could otherwise be at risk of developing anti-social behavior,’’ he said.

Timothy Hodge represented Mackillop NSW Catholic Schools at the Primary School Sports Association Swimming in which he came first in all four of his events, being Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly in March 2011.

In July, 2011 Timothy also competed in the tack and field selection trials in the multi-class category for 10-year boys, finishing first in long jump, second in 100-metre, second in shotput and third in 200-metre.

Cr Pendleton said Timothy was an inspiration by doing great things in his sport and influencing others to achieve their goals.