A young girl who had her hair shaved off to raise thousands of dollars for cancer research has been named Orange's Young Citizen of the Year.
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Orange Public School student Ella Parry-Jones, 11, said she was "shocked" to receive the award, which was presented during Sunday's Australia Day ceremony in Cook Park.
Retired physician Dr Bernie Huxtable was also named Citizen of the Year, Middletons Ice Block makers Dick and Marie Middleton were named Local Legends and Tony Leahey Ford won the Business Philanthropy award.
Ella said she had undertaken the fundraising after her uncle Michael Finnerty and her dance teacher Steph Stanford were diagnosed with cancer.
Her hair was cut off during a rugby league derby at Wade Park last June and along with her other fundraising efforts she earned $7202.
"I just had to do it," she said.
"I know I had a choice doing it, but I felt like if I didn't do it I would feel horrible."
Ella said she was about to start Year 6.
Her mum Belinda Parry-Jones said Ella had done more charity work.
"Just before Christmas she did a big fundraiser and got 344 gifts for nursing homes around Orange and delivered those around," she said.
Marie Middleton said she and husband, Dick Middleton, were honoured to be named the Local Legends.
"It's unbelievable. When we were told a week or so ago we were nominated that was an honour in itself. I was so pleased when that happened," she said.
"We have thoroughly enjoyed the 34 years we've been together and been doing this," she said.
"There is a big demand for the ice blocks in Orange."
Mrs Middleton said a lack of powdered milk had stopped their production of milk ice blocks but that had been rectified.
"My husband sourced the milk and we were able to get it back and in May we had some very, very happy customers to know the milk was back in them," she said.
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