Resident of 18 years, Mr Marshall has spent significant time focusing on the needs of Whyalla youth, general community service and men's health issues.

Mayor Jim Pollock also announced Jade Bishop, 15, as young citizen, and Carols in the Park the Whyalla Australia Day Event of the Year for 2010.

He also named inaugural sportsperson of the year to Matthew Sims.

The sportsperson of the year award was created to acknowledge individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the sports world in such areas as fundraising, volunteer service, umpiring, equipment maintenance or sporting achievements.

Community service awards were given to Megan Edwards, Kevin Higgins, Margaret Higgins, Barrak Marschner, Rosemary Ryan and Bernie Whyte.

Mr Pollock paid tribute to the recipients who, he said, have all made tremendous contributions to the Whyalla community and should be commended for their efforts.

"Whyalla would be so much the poorer without the hundreds of people who volunteer their time to make our city such a great place in which to live," he said.

Mr Pollock has urged other groups and organisations to ensure they participate in next year's award program and pay tribute to even more of Whyalla's worthy citizens.

The awards will be presented by the mayor at the official Whyalla Australia Day ceremony during Australia Day celebrations at the Whyalla Foreshore on Tuesday, January 26.