The Town of Aurora's Citizen of the Year Award is an annual award recognizing the exceptional contributions made by a local citizen to our community. The Citizen of the Year Award has been awarded by the Town of Aurora since 1970. This individual is selected by the Office of the Mayor in consultation with a small group of dedicated community volunteers.
This award recipient has demonstrated all-round community involvement rather than specific activity or contribution.
Congratulations to the 2023 Citizen of the Year
Wendy Browne 
Citizen of the Year Wendy Browne is an avid volunteer who has lived in Aurora since 1969. She is well-known in our community as the go-to volunteer, with many local organizations leaning on her for her support and her expertise. She is currently the Co-President and Events Co-ordinator of the Rotary Club of Aurora. She is the driving force of the Rotary Club, spearheading many initiatives, events and fundraisers. She has volunteered with the Aurora Historical Society, Aurora Sports Hall of Fame, Aurora Minor Ball Association, the Aurora Newmarket Girls Hockey Association, Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament and the Mayor’s Aurora Cares Community Action Tea, to name a few. She juggles many roles effortlessly – while actively volunteering, she is also an award-winning realtor with more than 30 years in the business. She is a dedicated mom, grandma and friend.
| Year | Award Winner |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
Sam Saberi |
| 2021 |
Eric McCartney |
| 2020 | Tom Connor |
| 2019 | Barb Allan |
| 2018 | Josie Kearney |
| 2017 | Peter van Schaik |
| 2016 | Mary Georgopoulos |
| 2015 | Diane Buchanan |
| 2014 | Beverley Wood |
| 2013 | Ron Wallace |
| 2012 | Brian North |
| 2011 | Jo-anne Spitzer |
| 2010 | Gordon Barnes |
| 2009 | David Tomlinson |
| 2008 | Susan Walmer |
| 2007 | Dorothy Clark-McClure |
| 2006 | Sylvia Gilchrist |
| 2005 | Bud Gilbert |
| 2004 | Phil Horsman |
| 2003 | Dr. John McIntyre |
| 2002 | Bob Hartwell |
| 2001 | Ken Smith |
| 2000 | Jackie Stubbs |
| 1999 | Vic Priestly |
| 1998 | Ferguson Mobbs |
| 1997 | Gerry Payne |
| 1996 | Steve Hinder |
| 1995 | Susan Gwilliam |
| 1994 | Dianne Harrison |
| 1993 | Wanda McKenzie |
| 1992 | Jack DeGraaf |
| 1991 | Bucky McLarty |
| 1990 | Arnold Miller |
| 1989 | Dick Illingworth |
| 1988 | Norm Stewart |
| 1987 | Nora McRoberts |
| 1986 | Fred Conklin |
| 1985 | Bill Coleman |
| 1984 | Lowell McClenny |
| 1983 | Dr. Leslie Oliver |
| 1982 | Vic Paraninfo |
| 1981 | Eric Smith |
| 1980 | Jack Williamson |
| 1979 | Omar Khamissa |
| 1978 | Bill Dinsmore |
| 1977 | Fred Bolsby |
| 1976 | Dr. Crawford Rose |
| 1975 | Rev. Homer McAvoy |
| 1974 | Jack Wood |
| 1973 | Don Glass |
| 1972 | J. E. (Dick) Buchanan |
| 1971 | Annebelle Black |
| 1970 | Bob Blick |
