Held at the Slim Dusty Centre, the awards aim to showcase locals who have made an outstanding contribution to the community throughout the year.

Kempsey Shire Mayor Liz Campbell welcomed our local Australia Day Ambassador for 2020 Aiden Tolman during the ceremony.

"We're very proud to have Aiden as our ambassador this year and to present the 2020 Australia Day Awards for the Kempsey Shire," she said.

Before the awards were announced, Mayor Campbell acknowledged Mark Morrison and Ron Kemsley for receiving an OAM and a Public Service Medal.

"Congratulations to you both, you have both worked tirelessly in the community and have been acknowledged for the work that you do," Mayor Campbell said.

Aiden also addressed the crowd and spoke of his formative years in the Macleay and his honour of being Kempsey's 2020 Australia Day Ambassador.

"To come back home and be ambassador for Australia Day is amazing. My early years in the Macleay taught me the way in which I should live my life," he said.

"I believe it's people who make our country great and it's a very exciting day for the winners of the awards today."

"The awards recognise those in the community who inspire and strengthen our community here in the Macleay. Congratulations to the winners," Mayor Campbell added.

The 2020 Kempsey Australia Day Award winners are:

Citizen of the Year - Tania Powick

For more than a decade Tania, a mother and business owner, has been involved on the executive of multiple local organisations and community groups. Rotary Club of Kempsey, Executive Macleay Valley Business Chamber, Kempsey Riverside Markets Committee and the Macleay Valley Business Women's Network have all benefited from her dedication and enthusiasm.

Tania recently closed her business for two weeks to assist at the bushfire Evacuation Centre in Kempsey and has helped coordinate Rotary's Bushfire Relief Fund.

Young Citizen of the Year - Elizabeth Jackson

Elizabeth is an outstanding role model as shown through her involvement with the Kempsey Show Society, her efforts to reintroduce the Showgirl Ball, her fundraising for CWA drought relief and being the first Kempsey Showgirl entrant to progress to the Sydney Royal Easter Show since 2010.

Young Citizen of the Year - Serenity Clancy

Serenity's sporting and academic achievements include being named as 2019 Melville High School's Sports Person of the Year, Soccer Player of the Year for Macleay Valley Rangers women's team, state school representative in four sports and receiving the 2019 NAIDOC Education Award.

Volunteer of the Year - Evelyn Jacobs

Evelyn is being honoured for more than 30 years commitment to fundraising, coaching and leadership roles in local sporting organisations. She has held executive positions in the Kempsey Basketball Association for 18 years, is a Life Member of the Kempsey-Crescent Head Surf Life Saving Club and a welcoming figure at the beach and weekly events.

Volunteer of the Year - Ted and Winsome Walmsley

For over 60 years Ted and Winsome have selflessly volunteered their time to the community through their love of orchids, country music and sport. Between the Annual Kempsey Orchid Show, attracting over 8000 people to the area since 2000 and the monthly Country Music Showcase at the Kempsey RSL Bowling Club raising thousands for local charities, Ted and Winsome are a truly dedicated volunteering couple.

Community Group of the Year - Kempsey Cancerians

The Kempsey Cancerians Committee is the longest running Cancerian Committee in Australia. Their annual fundraising event in Kempsey, the Cancerian Ball, reached their fundraising goal of over one million dollars for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation since 1987.

The Crescent Head Lions Club and Macleay Valley Home Hospice were also awarded finalists for Community Group of the Year.