Nicole – who told the Reporter her inspring story of overcoming a rare nerve condition and brain surgery to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse in order to repay the excellent care she received – was named Citizen of the Year and also won the Community/Voluntary Champion Award.

She beat tough competition to take latter award, including John Mackay, a security guard who stepped in to save a drowning man at Loch Lomond.

Also shortlisted were Dumbarton women Pamela McMartin and Mary Burch.

Pamela runs the Dumbarton District Disabled Children’s Forum and Mary is a long-standing volunteer for the Boys Brigade, the Veterans, Scouts and the armed forces charity SAAFA.

Close to 100 people were nominated and the shortlist for the accolades was released in March.

Commonwealth gold medalist Ross won the Sports Champion award for his showstopping performance at the Games last year.

As well as taking gold in the 200m breaststroke at Glasgow 2014 and broke a Commonwealth record, finishing in the third fastest time in history.

Ross is a former member of West Dunbartonshire Amateur Swimming Club, who trained at the Vale of Leven Swimming Pool from age six, and has since returned to help train the next generation of champion swimmers.

Unfortunately he could not attend the awards due to training commitments as he prepares for the Rio Olympics next year and his brother Scott collected the award.

Shortlisted along with Ross were shotputter Alison Roger, from Clydebank, who qualified for Team Scotland at the Games last year and from Dumbarton’s Kevin Anderson, who won the 2014 national singles trophy in lawn bowls.

Daniel McCormick, of Clydebank, was crowned Arts and Culture Champion, from a shortlist featuring fellow Bankie and award-winning artist Tom McKendrick and Dumbarton musician Allie Anderson.

Daniel, 21, got into trouble with the police as a youngster but turned his life around after getting involved with the youth service Y Sort It, of which he is now chairman.

He was instrumental in securing £338,000 from Create Scotland to set up a new Youth Arts Hub in West Dunbartonshire, #‎Freshcreations which has provided hundreds of youngsters across West Dunbartonshire free art classes.

The Soup Kitchen Volunteers at St Peter the Apostle High School in Clydebank won the Community/Voluntary Team award, ahead of Vale of Leven Autism and Aspergers Forum and the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat team.

The pupils give up their Saturday evenings to hand out food, clothes and toiletries at two men’s homeless shelters in Glasgow.

This dedicated group of pupils give up their Saturday evenings at two men’s homeless shelters in Glasgow.

The judges had already selected the Youth Champion award which goes to Ryan Miller, of Clydebank.

Ryan is an active member of the St Peter The Apostle High School community and he has also dedicated more than 300 hours of his time to volunteering.

Provost Douglas McAllister praised the nominees and winners.

He said: “The Civic Awards are a chance to thank the unsung heroes in our community for their efforts. Our residents are what make West Dunbartonshire the place it is.

“I want to congratulate all our champions and finalists and thank all nominees for their contribution to our area.”