Local towns and community organisations won seven awards at the 2009 Tidy Towns Awards held in Tamworth last weekend.

Upper Hunter Shire mayor Lee Watts said the Shire’s shining effort at the awards underscored the strength of community spirit throughout the region.

“This is recognition for the many people who give so generously of their time and expertise on a range of initiatives happening right here in our own back yard and it is an outstanding result,” Cr Watts said.

“Taking home seven awards illustrates our motto ‘a quality rural lifestyle in a caring and thriving community’ is more than just a motto,” she said.

“The fact that not one, but four towns, were named as finalists is a terrific result.” Murrurundi came second for its population-based category while Aberdeen came third.

Murrurundi continued its strong showing at the awards with Murrurundi Public School winning the school award (population 26 – 159 students) and the Bridge to Bridge River Walk plan which is part of the acclaimed Turning the Pages project received a Highly Commended award.

The landmark Murrurundi Pioneer Cottage, run by local icons Gwen Alchin and Carmel Hughes was Highly Commended in the Bush Spirit section of the awards.

Murrurundi Public School was not the only school in the Upper Hunter to receive an award with Scone Public School and St Joseph’s Primary School in Merriwa both earning Highly Commended prizes.

“I would like to offer sincere congratulations not only to the community groups and organisations involved in this year’s outstanding result at the Tidy Towns Awards, but also to council staff, particularly Community Services manager Donna Rea, for continuing to support the Upper Hunter’s involvement in this very worthwhile competition,” Cr Watts said.

At the NSW Sustainable Communities Awards Aberdeen, Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone were all named as finalists for 2009 Tidy Towns Communities awards.