Mayor Samantha McIntosh handed out the awards for Young Citizen of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year in front of the packed Trench Room at Town Hall.

Past winner Tony Murphey spoke next, passing on the importance and gratitude from the community for what each of the nominees have done.

13 year-old from Buninyong Jake Sbardella took out the honours for Young Citizen of the Year for the work he has done raising funds for homeless people.

The big-hearted student has sold Christmas and Easter happiness advent calendars for the past three years to raise money to support homeless programs around Ballarat, and to buy backpack beds for the homeless.

“Some people in the world don’t really have (support and shelter), so it means a lot to me that the homeless people have somewhere to sleep,” Jake said.

Jake has raised over $11,000 through his calendars and has now plan to slow down his operation.

 “The fact that (the homeless) are less fortunate than us and some of them can’t help it, it just shouldn’t be like that and it makes me feel sad.”

Citizen of the Year went to Marilyn Tyndall for the community engagement she has encouraged within the Forest Rangers Soccer Club.

The great grandmother was shocked when her name was called. She deflected all the praise she was receiving back onto the club.

“This is not about what I’ve done for the club, it’s about what the club has done for me,” Mrs Tyndall said through happy tears.

Having seen her own sons grow up through the soccer club, Mrs Tyndall is now witnessing the next generation, her grandchildren, do the same.

Finally the Community event of the Year was awarded to Ballarat parkrun. 

Kylie Mayne and Ricci McGreevy accepted the award. The running initiative has been a hit a Victoria Park, amassing 180 runner and walkers each Saturday morning.