The awards were presented by the former federal member for New England and senior minister, Ian Sinclair AC, who has bred cattle in the Manning Valley for the past 10 years.

Neita was one of six winners in the awards which are conducted by the member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead.

The other winners and their categories were:

o Amani Jensen-Bentley from Mitchells Island - 2013 Myall Lakes Young Person of the Year

o Grahame Burns from Forster - 2013 Myall Lakes Senior Person of the Year

o Molly Arens from Old Bar - 2013 Myall Lakes Junior Sports Person of the Year

o Bryan Warren from Forster - 2013 Myall Lakes Sports Person of the Year

o Manning Support Services - 2013 Myall Lakes Community Group of the Year

In addition to her citizen of the year award, Neita was also presented with the 2013 Premier's Community Service Award in recognition of her 70 years of volunteer work for the Tinonee Red Cross.

The NSW Local Woman of the Year was presented to Jeanette Holland OAM, from Taree for her volunteer services to many community organisations including the Sheltered Workshop, Quota, Girl Guides and Chatham Public and High Schools.

The NSW Grand Friend of the Year was presented to Lea Young of Taree, an award which is part of the state's Grandparents Day celebrations.

A special community award was also presented to Great Lakes Council in recognition of its "services to the community in local government" which was accepted by Great Lakes mayor, Cr Jan McWilliams.

Mr Bromhead said he was delighted by the large number of nominations in each of the award categories which would have made the job of the judges very difficult.

"You can tell by the reaction to the announcement of the finalists and their list of achievements just how much the audience appreciates the effort the nominees has put in to their endeavours," Mr Bromhead said.

"It is difficult to pick out any one of the finalists and winners, however I was very pleased that the judges chose Neita Middlemiss as the 2013 Myall Lakes Citizen of the Year.

"Neita joined the Tinonee branch of the Red Cross on her 16th birthday and has now passed 70 years of volunteer duties for the Red Cross.

"Neita is a popular and very deserving winner."

The Myall Lakes Community Awards recognise the achievements of individuals and groups in the Myall Lakes and were first awarded in 2012 at the inception of Stephen Bromhead.

An independent panel of judges selects the finalists and winners in each category, whose identity is not shown to Mr Bromhead.