The annual awards recognise the valuable contributions female councillors and council staff make to improve the lives of local residents.

Local residents now have the opportunity to nominate a female staff member or councillor from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to be considered against those high achieving women from councils across the state for one of these prestigious awards.

The awards are a chance for our community to publicly acknowledge these women and all the hard work they do to improve our lives.

The NSW Government has announced new award categories to better reflect changes in the local government sector.

The new award categories now open for nominations are Employment Diversity Award, Elected Representative Award, Champion of Change Award, Alternative Pathways Award and the Young Achiever's Award.

Nominations will close on February 12. The awards will be presented at an official function at Parliament House in Sydney, on March 24.

Full details of the categories and information on how to make a nomination can be found at olg.nsw.gov.au.

Sovereign Place Town Centre celebration

Sovereign Place Town Centre is getting Australia Day celebrations in early with a FUN-raiser for FAWNA's Food4Wildlife and Nest Box Appeal.

Get along to the Town Centre on Saturday, January 25, between 10am and 2pm, to show your support.

Donations will help the Hastings species loss of habitat affected by the fires.

Enjoy fun activities for the whole family including: lamington decorating; a thong throwing battle; Brooklyn's Burger Bar burger-eating competition; kids' watermelon eating contest; live music from Port Macquarie's Andrew Cousins; kids' talent quest; raffle and fun prizes such as an Apple Watch Series 3.

Don't miss the action at the Chancellors Drive, Port Macquarie, near St Joseph's Regional College.