GANNAWARRA'S Young Citizen of the Year has just finished secondary schooling, but she is already demonstrating leadership potential.

Shannon Knight, of Kerang, was awarded the Young Citizen Award title for her contribution to her community as an active member of her State Emergency Service unit, helping with training and fund-raising during the 2011 floods and her leadership in her school in sports and the community.

This included her participation in the 2011 alternative schoolies trip to Cambodia and her role as a student representative on the School Council at Kerang Technical High School.

During the alternative schoolies trip, Ms Knight opted to work with children in small agricultural villages in Cambodia instead of partying like so many year 12 students.

Ms Knight has recently finished her secondary studies and will be moving on to study nursing and paramedicine at university.

"I was not expecting to win and was very surprised," she said.

The Lakes Arts and Cultural Association was awarded Community Group/Event of the Year.

The community group has been co-ordinating events in the Kerang Lakes area since 2001 including fund-raising events for sick children and families in need.

The group also presents diverse arts and cultural events for the benefit of the local area such as its Jazz by the Lake event.

Association president, Lindsay Hogg accepted the award.

Mr Hogg said Jazz by the Lake hasn't been staged for the last two years because of drought and flood issues, but that the association intended to revive the event.

His wife, Gaby Hogg, the association treasurer, said members are currently working on a welding workshop where people can learn how to weld metal and create sculptures.

Mr Hogg said he was overwhelmed by the win and said that "you don't expect to win these things".

"You just do these things for the community and you get rewarded in the end," he said.