On Australia Day, Newcastle hosted the largest citizenship ceremony in NSW and presented our Australia Day Awards to a group of tireless community heroes.
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Advocate and fundraiser Mark Hughes is our 2018 Newcastle Citizen of the Year.
The retired former Newcastle Knights star and brain cancer survivor was recognised for the work of his charitable Mark Hughes Foundation, which has raised over $1.75 million for brain cancer research through the nationally recognised Beanie for Brain Cancer campaign.
Before retiring from rugby league in 2006, Mark played 161 games for the Knights and was part of the premiership winning 1997 and 2001 teams.
He also played three State of Origin games for the NSW Blues.
Diagnosed with brain cancer in July 2013, he underwent brain surgery, radiation treatments and chemotherapy, and has had no regrowth since 2015.
Mark has successfully used his profile as a former Rugby League star to shine a spotlight on brain cancer, its effects on people and their families, and the research efforts to find a cure.
Greek Australian Irini Kassas, who at 20 years old has represented Australia at the London International Model UN, was named the 2018 Young Citizen of the Year.
NOVA for Women and Children was lauded as the 2018 Community Group of the Year.