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Community Recognition Awards Program

The Township of Hamilton established Community Recognition Awards to recognize individuals or groups that have made an outstanding contribution to the Township and its Residents.

These awards recognize the successes and achievements of community members by nominating a deserving individual, business, or organization who have contributed through community engagement to make the Township of Hamilton a better place to live, work, raise our children, care for neighbours and building resilient communities for all.

To review the Community Recognition Awards Advisory Committee mandate or join the volunteer committee, visit our Boards and Committees webpage.

Make a Nomination!

Nominations are open for the 2025 Community Recognition Awards! If you know someone who helps make the Township of Hamilton a better place to live, work, raise families, and support one another, we want to hear from you!

Nominate a deserving community member today!

Make a nomination!

Award Categories and Criteria

Mayor's Award of Excellence
For individuals, teams, groups, businesses, or organizations to be recognized for exceptional achievements in: Acts of conspicuous bravery, winning a major championship, leading a completed fundraising drive, or leading the development of a new facility, community organization, or community program.
Outstanding Youth Award
Honours a person 19 years or younger for exceptional contribution to their school, team, group, or community.
Volunteer Service Award
For the leadership of an individual recognized for long and exceptional service in volunteer capacities in the township.
Environment Award
Will be presented to the nominated individual or non-profit group who has made a significant contribution to conserve, protect, restore, maintain, improve, enhance, or promote a safe, healthy environment within the community.
Innovation Award

We honour individuals and organizations that are doing exceptional work to help create a more engaged, more vibrant, more inclusive community. Nominees for this award have recognized new and better ways to address a need in the community despite the many demands, and sometimes too few resources. Nominees have found innovative, creative, and efficient solutions to make a difference in the lives of others. Their innovative efforts have had a positive impact on the community.
Good Neighbour Award
The Good Neighbour Award is presented to an individual or group from Northumberland County that makes a difference in the lives of residents of the Township of Hamilton.
Senior of the Year Award

The Ontario Senior of the Year Award allows each municipality in Ontario to honour one exceptional senior whose actions and commitment have positively impacted their community. This is a chance to shine a spotlight on seniors who continue to make meaningful contributions, whether through volunteerism, leadership, or other community-driven initiatives.

Nominations for the Ontario Senior of the Year Award closed on April 4, 2025. Thank you to those who made a submission!

Eligibility and Conditions

  • Nominees must be 65 years or older.
  • Nominees must reside or operate their organization in Ontario, ideally within the Township of Hamilton.
  • Nominations must be submitted using the official Township of Hamilton Senior of the Year Nomination Form.
  • The submission must include:
    • First and last name, email address, and contact information for both the nominator and nominee.
    • A detailed explanation of the nominee's achievements and community impact.
    • At least one signed testimonial letter supporting the nominee's contributions.
  • Additional supporting materials (e.g., newspaper articles, publications) are encouraged.
  • Self-nominations are not accepted.
  • Current members of Council, staff, and volunteers (including Advisory Committee members and volunteer firefighters) are not eligible based on contributions made during their duties.
  • Nominations will be assessed based on the significance and impact of the nominee's contributions, so please provide as much detail as possible.
Community Recognition Awards Eligibility and Conditions
  1. Every submission must be completed on the Community Recognition Awards Application Form and must include the First Name, Last Name, email address and phone number of both the Nominator and the Nominee.
  2. Nominees must reside or operate their organization in the Township of Hamilton. However, the selection committee may choose to honour a non-Township of Hamilton resident or organization with strong ties and contributions to the community. Nominators do not have to reside within the Township.
  3. Nominations must include a detailed explanation of the achievement or contribution including the impact/benefit to the community and the level of commitment of the Nominee.
  4. Nominations must also include 2 signed testimonial letters that detail the value and impact of the achievement or contribution. These letters must indicate knowledge of the achievement/contribution as well as support of the Nominee. Additional testimonials, publications, newspaper articles and media stories may also be submitted.
  5. Self Nominations will not be accepted.
  6. Nominees may be eligible in more than one category, however, the Nominations Committee reserves the right to determine which category the Nominee will be considered for, to ensure equity.
  7. Nominees must not have won the same award within two years.
  8. Present members of Council, staff, and volunteers (including Advisory Committee members and volunteer firefighters) of the Township of Hamilton are not eligible for nominations recognizing contributions made while performing their duties.

Award Recipients

2024 Award Recipients

The 2024 Community Recognition and Volunteer Appreciation Event was held on November 17, 2024 at the Baltimore Recreation Centre. The Township of Hamilton is proud to celebrate and recognize the achievements and contributions of our community!

Mayor's Award of Excellence

  • Community Works Food Bank Volunteers

Outstanding Youth

  • Steven Dalli-Hill

Senior of the Year

  • Pauline Browes

Volunteer Service Award

  • Ann Marie Tinney
  • Marian Neill

Environment Award

  • Faye McFarlane

Innovation Award

  • Harwood Memorial Parks and Recreation Club

Good Neighbour Award

  • Pilgrim Farms

Thank you to our 2024 Community Recognition and Volunteer Appreciation Event Sponsors!Group of logos of the event sponsors
2023 Award Recipients

The 2023 Community Recognition and Volunteer Appreciation Event was held November 19, 2023, at the Baltimore Recreation Centre. The event was attended by over 100 people there to celebrate the achievements and dedication of our award winners and volunteers.

Mayor's Award of Excellence

  • Dan Besso

Outstanding Youth

  • Rowyn Doyle

Volunteer Service Award

  • Patti Branning
  • Elaine Daignault

Environment Award

  • Blue Dot Northumberland

Innovation Award

  • Bethlehem Walk Committee

Thank you to our 2023 Community Recognition and Volunteer Appreciation Event Sponsors!
Event Sponsors: Baltimore Valley Garden Centre, Hamilton Township Mutual insurance Company, Northumberland Land Trust, Henderson Music Studio, Johnson's Septic Services

Community Recognition Awards and Volunteer Service Event

The Township of Hamilton and invited community members celebrate and recognize the achievements and successes of the Community Recognition Award winners and honors the contributions of our volunteer Board and Committee members at the annual Community Recognition Awards and Volunteer Service Event. The event is coordinated and hosted by the Community Recognition Awards Advisory Committee and Township Staff and Council.