She is the current chair of the Coleambally Darlington Point Country Education Fund and the chair for the Coleambally Australia Day Committee.

Penny is presently the driving force behind a compilation of an oral history for the town. She was also heavily involved in the Taste Coleambally Food and Farm Festival.

Mrs Sheppard also volunteer her time helping the Coleambally Lions Club at gala nights and road side clean ups and has organised the Australia Day Breakfast and Award Ceremony for the last 20 years.

Mrs Sheppard said she was privileged to receive the award.

“I’d like to thank the people who took the time to make the nomination,” she said.

“I will catch up with you at some point but thank you very much and thank you to the support my family gives me as well because it takes family and other team members to make things work.”

The Taste Coleambally Food and Farm festival was a popular choice for awards on the day with the 2016 event picking up the Event of the Year gong, while the Art Precinct held on the weekend picked up the Cultural Award. While Julie Bellato was nominated for Citizen of the Year largely thanks to the work she did for the event.

Other nominations for Citizen of the Year were Jan Young, who was recognised for her volunteer work at the Coleambally Community Club and Paul Carroll for his effort during his time as Coleambally Pool supervisor in helping out the elderly and parents with young children.

Other winners included: