Mayor's Message

29 January 

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

The City of Ryde honoured its 2025 Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Sportsperson of the Year, and Environmental Citizen of the Year at a special ceremony held at North Ryde Golf Club on 20 January.

Community leader Nora Etmekdjian was named Citizen of the Year for her more than 20 years of dedication to Ryde, growing community events, preserving heritage, and championing safety initiatives. 

Young Citizen of the Year Rajmallan Thiagarajan was recognised for raising $45,000 for leukemia research, promoting diversity, and mentoring peers. 

Sportsperson of the Year Linda Ham was honoured for her work in transforming community fitness through inclusive programs and award-winning initiatives, while Environmental Citizen of the Year Pamela Ward was celebrated for 35 years of ecological preservation, including co-founding The Habitat Community Nursery and leading bushcare programs.

I was incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of this year’s nominees and winners. 

Our winners have each made extraordinary contributions to our community, embodying the values of leadership, inclusivity, and sustainability that make Ryde such a vibrant and diverse place to live. 

Their dedication inspires us all, and I thank them for their tireless efforts to make our City a better place.

PUTNEY BEACH OPENS

The City of Ryde community gathered in force on 22 January for the official opening on the new Putney Park swim site on a beautiful Sydney summer’s day.

Along with a number of City of Ryde Councillors, I was excited to be among the first to take a dip in this wonderful new Parramatta River site, which provides a much-needed place for our residents and visitors to cool down.

I can report that it was a highly enjoyable and refreshing experience.Putney Beach is free, the swimming area is netted, there’s plenty of shade, and the steps to the water’s edge provide easy access for everyone. Regular water quality testing ensures the beach is healthy and safe for humans, but Council advises people not to swim for three days after significant rain events. I’d like to thank the NSW Government for its Places to Swim grant, and to the Parramatta River Catchment Group, which has worked tirelessly to clean and protect this delicate ecosystem.

I am hoping that scenic Putney Beach now becomes one of Council’s must-visit destinations. 

Sincerely, 
Trenton Brown – Mayor