Blake Howle is one of those rare gems.

Not only has he been chosen as the Nambucca Valley's Young Citizen of the Year, he's also taken out the award for Young Sportsman of the Year too.

Like so many remarkable quiet achievers, Blake is humble about his many accolades: "I'm gobsmacked. I don't think I'm overly special - I just value putting myself out there and saying yes when opportunities come up".

And in a school year which demands more of you than you often think you're capable of, Blake actively lived his personal mantra.

Blake did a commendable job as Vice Captain at Macksville High School last year, helping to coordinate his school's drought relief efforts, and sponsorship of a child's education in Chad, while representing his peers at historical moments like the Rail Centenary.

He trod the boards as male lead in his school's musical and was named as a club finalist in the 2019 Lions Youth Of The Year competition - a prestigious event which favours those who excel in a range of pursuits.

He's also advocated for his colleagues on the Student Representative Council for all six years of his high schooling, and served as president in 2018.

And he received the Year 12 Caltex All-Rounder Student Award at Macksville High last year.

All of this is before stepping foot on a field, which is where he really shines.

Last year marked Blake's third time representing the North Coast Opens in the Rugby Union State Championships - a feat few manage to achieve. He was also named captain of his side.

"The North Coast side goes from the border to Kempsey - in that area there's plenty of elite players who could have been selected as captain, so to be chosen meant a lot to me," he said.

With less time to train than the Sydney sides, the pressure was on Blake as captain to ensure his teammates were switched on at training sessions.

But being captain also gave him the opportunity to relish in their successes too: "those moments meant just as much to me".

Blake also represented the Northern region in the Rugby League State Championships in both 2018 and 2019.

His dedication to both codes was recognised by North Coast School Sport with an award for Outstanding Achievement in both Rugby Union and Rugby League.

And there have been other accolades along the way, but what makes Blake a true champion is his commitment to lifting others by passing on his skills and experience.

Part of his duties playing in First Grade Union with the Snappers was mentoring up-and-coming players.

He said watching the juniors' progression throughout the season possibly filled him with more pride than his own personal successes.

"It gave me a sense of achievement. When I started out I got the same help - it's a big thing to hear for a junior player when a senior player tells them they've done well."

In the spirit of giving back, Blake has also been helping the North Coast Development Officer at training camps, and volunteered as a swimming instructor in Learn to Swim programs with Macksville Public students.

"Growing up here, the community has given me so much, this was about me giving back," he said.

Blake said he's very grateful to be honoured in the Council's Australia Day awards.

He's eternally thankful to his parents for being his rock, and also to the teachers at Macksville High School - particularly Ms Dykes and Ms Garland - who helped to shape him into the person he's become.

Blake is off to Armidale in a few weeks to study a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science in the hopes of working in exercise physiology one day.

"Sport has given me a lot of opportunities - it's taken me a lot of places, it's kept me fit and healthy, and it's set me up for the future with a career pathway," he said.

"I'll still play at university, and if any sporting opportunities come up I'll definitely take them, but right now, for me, education is more important.

"One thing for sure is that I'll always come home - maybe with my own family one day. This place is special."

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