At an Australia Day ceremony in Hawks Nest, held by the Tea Gardens Lionesses, Kevin Green was awarded Citizen of the Year and Sami Davidson, Young Citizen of the Year.

Mr Green, a longtime Hawks Nest resident, said the award came as a "pleasant surprise".

He was a founding member of the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Community Technology Centre and remains a volunteer there.

He has been a key member of the Myall Koala and Environment Group as well as the Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association.

He worked towards raising money to build the Hawks Nest wharf and has been the site supervisor for Clean Up Australia Day.

"I think it's a great little town and it's good fun getting involved," Mr Green said.

Fifteen-year-old Sami Davidson scored her accolade for her strong community involvement.

Both her grandfathers were returned servicemen and each Anzac Day she carries on their legacy by speaking at the Tea Gardens Grange.

She is well-known among the residents at the Grange and helps them with technology.

An avid cricketer, she helps coach children and has represented the Hunter region. She was also awarded Junior Sports Champion of Hunter River High School in Raymond Terrace last year.

"She is so proud to be part of the Tea Gardens community," her mother Heidi Davidson said.

President of the Tea Gardens Lionesses Lorna Russom said both were very worthy recipients for the awards.

"The Lionesses sit down and have a discussion, we look at what people have been doing in the area," she said.