The Cowra community came together last week for the annual Rotary Peace Dinner, celebrating local leadership, compassion and a commitment to peace.
The evening saw Aunty Esther Cutmore named the 2025 Rotary Peace Award winner for her outstanding contribution to the community, while Laura Price received the 2025 Cowra Youth Peace Award.
The event, hosted by Cowra Rotary at Club Cowra, featured special guest speaker Hon. Michael McCormack MP, who praised the town’s legacy of peace and reconciliation.
“Honoured to speak at the Rotary Club of Cowra World Peace Dinner about the importance of nurturing our youth and their role in building a better tomorrow,” Mr McCormack said in a social media post.
“Congratulations to Aunty Esther Cutmore who was awarded the Rotary Peace Award and Laura Price, recipient of the Youth Rotary Peace Award.”
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“Both are leaders in their community and embody strength, kindness and compassion.”
Laura Price has long been recognised as an inspiring young leader in Cowra.
A passionate volunteer, she has contributed to a wide range of initiatives including the Festival of International Understanding, Cowra Youth Council, and most recently, Rotary’s new community bookshop.
In 2025, Laura received the Order of Australia Youth Community Award from the Governor of NSW, one of only 20 recipients across the state.
She has also been recognised for her leadership through the Rotary Peace Speech, Cowra Youth Council’s Peace Day events, and her role as a youth ambassador at the Cowra Breakout commemoration.
Her involvement extends further, spanning the Duke of Edinburgh program, RYPEN, faith-based youth retreats, and local sport, including swimming, netball, and triathlon.
In 2023, she was named Cowra’s Young Citizen of the Year.
Laura is admired not only for her achievements but also for her humility and compassion.
She consistently leads by example, encouraging her peers to contribute to a more inclusive and peaceful community.
Cr Cheryl Downing, Chair of the Australian Chapter of the World Peace Bell Association, praised the calibre of this year’s nominees.
“The Cowra Youth Peace Award is a proud initiative of the Australian Chapter of the World Peace Bell Association,” she said.
“This award celebrates young people in the Cowra Shire who lead by example, promote peace, and make a positive difference in their community through their actions and the way they connect with others.”
The five other nominees for the 2025 Youth Peace Award were Laura Bennett, Callie Bridges, Ky Garratt, Patrick Lazarou, and Madeleine Negus.
