News
26 January, 2026
Citizen of the year is Skye high
Skye Leicester has been named Wingecarribee Shire Council’s 2026 Citizen of the Year for her work to support children’s health and well-being.
Skye Leicester has been named Wingecarribee Shire Council’s 2026 Citizen of the Year for her work to support children’s health and well-being.
Mrs Leicester was presented with her award at the Australia Day ceremony in Berrima earlier today.
She was one of nine candidates in the running for this year’s top honour.
The Young Citizen of the Year award went to Chloe Ward for her dedication to environmental sustainability, community service and youth advocacy.
All nine people in the running for this year’s Citizen of the Year award were presented with certificates before Mrs Leicester was named overall winner.
The other finalists were Salman Ali, David Baxter, Keith McKellar Stewart, Steve Cheers, James Fitgibbons, Robert Pryor, Katie Constantinou and Kerrie Eyding.
Mrs Leicester has devoted the past 16 years of her life to improving the lives of local children and young people, driven by her own personal experience with youth mental health challenges and a commitment to early intervention.
As president of the Bowral District Children’s Foundation she has transformed the volunteer-run charity into a professionally-run organisation and has helped raised and distribute more than $2 million to support children’s health and well-being initiatives.
According to her nomination, Mrs Leicester has driven initiatives that have reduced hospital wait times, created permanent clinical roles and expanded school-based mental health programs.
“Through leading community engagement and fundraising events, she fosters collaboration between hospitals, schools, donors and service providers.
“Her strategic, compassionate, hands-on leadership has created lasting, positive change”.
Accepting the award, Mrs Leicester said she felt ‘very overwhelmed’ but ‘honoured’ and praised the other nominees for the contribution they make to the Southern Highlands community.
She said she felt privileged to be in a position to help young people and their families.
“It is young people who bring so much hope for our future”.
She urged local residents to continue working with not only the Bowral District Children’s Foundation but with other organisations as well.
“By working together we can make a difference,” she said.
The four nominees for this year’s Young Citizen of the Year award were Jayashruthi Palanisamy, Olivia Romano, Stephanie Onisforou and Chloe Ward.
According to her nomination, winner Chloe Ward has made a significant impact locally and internationally.
“As Bowral High School captain, she was part of a team in the NSW Department of Education Game Changer Challenge, addressing PFAS contamination in the Wingecarribee River and developing a PFAS-tracking app to help consumers make informed choices.
“Chloe drives meaningful initiatives through Rotary Interact, raising funds for local charities, coordinating environmental programs and leading Clean Up Australia Day activities.
“She also serves on the Future Council International Advisory Board, contributing to global youth-led sustainability work.
“Chloe inspires others through public speaking, advocacy and a strong commitment to civic responsibility”.
Chloe said the award was “such an honour” and thanked Wingecarribee Shire Council and the PFAS team at Bowral High School for their support.
Read More: Southern Highlands, Berrima