Penrith golden girl Jess Fox is set to have another major honour bestowed on her.
This week, Penrith Mayor Todd Carney announced that Fox would receive a key to the city of Penrith.
“As a way for the City of Penrith to congratulate Jess on her outstanding performance at the Paris Olympic Games, as well as her contribution to the sport of paddling, it is fitting that we present her with the Key to the City,” Carney said.
“This symbolic gesture is the highest honour awarded by the City of Penrith to individuals or organisations and is only awarded in exceptional circumstances to acknowledge an outstanding achievement or contribution.”
Council is giving this great honour to Fox for her significant contributions to the community and her success at the Paris Olympics.
“I’m sure everyone in Penrith was cheering on our golden girl Jess Fox OAM as she made history in Paris, winning gold in Women’s C1 and K1 Slalom events,” Carney said.
“The win meant that she is the first ever athlete to win golds in both Olympic canoe and kayak.
“Jess is one of our all-time great Olympians. She now has six individual Olympic medals including three gold, one silver and two bronze, more than any Australian in history.”
The award will be presented to Fox at an event later in the year.
“At a suitable event in the coming months, Council will bestow this honour to Jess,” Carney said.
“Congratulations to Jess, the G.O.A.T [greatest of all time] of Australian and international paddling.”
Council last presented a key to the City of Penrith to the Penrith Panthers 2021 NRL premiership-winning team, following their Grand Final triumph over South Sydney.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.