Bateau Bay's Karen Knight, is congratulated by Wyong Mayor, Bob Graham, after being named the Volunteer of the Year in Wyong Shire.

Marlene Pennings, of The Entrance North, was honoured at Wyong Shire Council's recent Australia Day Awards for many years of tireless work on behalf of the environment.

Rugby League referee, Shayne Hayne, of Mardi, was among the winners at Wyong Shire Council's 2010 Australia Day awards

Garry Prince, of Lake Munmorah, has been named Wyong Shire's Citizen of the Year for 2010. He received his award from Mayor, Bob Graham at a ceremony to mark Australia Day

Killarney Vale's, Matthew Dawson, receives his junior sports award from Wyong Mayor, Bob Graham, at the annual Australia Day Award event

Sandy the Seahorse, the mascot of Wyong Shire Council's improvement program for Tuggerah Lakes, proved a big hit at the annual Mardi Gras parade in The Entrance.

Wyong Shire Council's award winning Tuggerah Lakes Mardi Gras float didn't come together without a lot of work. The float team is shown with its handiwork.

Wyong Shire Council's winning Tuggerah Lakes Mardi Gras Queen, Rebecca Chaffer, was not the only celebrity on the council parade float. Sandy the Seahorse helped promote the diversity of Tuggerah Lakes.

With Tuggerah Lakes Mardi Gras Queen, Rebecca Chaffer, aboard, Wyong Shire Council's float in the festival parade won awards for the most comical, best decorated and most original entry.

For the second year in a row, a Wyong Shire Council entrant has been named Tuggerah Lakes Mardi Gras Queen. Rebecca Chaffer (right) is shown receiving the crown from 2008 winner, Kristel Aird (Baigent)

A remarkable playground - whose features include facilities for people with visual disabilities - is opening at Toukley's Canton Beach. See the sound mushrooms and chimes and read details at http://tinyurl.com/yl7g8x3

Trails and walkways that make different sounds underfoot help people with visual disabilities find their way around Canton Beach's new playground

Visibility on Central Coast roads was sharply reduced and the sky turned either red or yellow amid the dust storm

Buildings are barely visible amid the dust storm that blanketed the Central Coast

Like much of Eastern NSW, Wyong Shire was shrouded by a thick dust storm on September 23 - creating an eerie lunar landscape

The Entrance has a new community centre, set amid striking, modern grounds in a recycled former school. See Wyong Shire Council's website for details

Another highlight of The Entrance Community Centre is this local version of the popular 'Men's Shed' concept.

Another view of the modern new community centre at The Entrance.

Wyong Mayor, Bob Graham, was joined by former shire councillor and stalwart of The Entrance community, Robyn Stewart, in officially opening the town's new community centre.

This eye-catching playground is a highlight of the new community centre at The Entrance.