In a first for the awards, the two were named joint Senior Sports Stars of the Year.

Both won multiple world titles in their respective sport in 2017 with Stone winning the world indoor 200m and 400m titles while Carson claimed multiple world masters archery titles.

They won from a field of finalists that included: Joy Harrison for shooting, Carolyn Beresford for hockey, Cindy Slade for hockey, Brett Woodward for golf, Jill Wagner for horse sports, Ayllie Allen for cycling,  Holly Harris for mountain bikes and Robyn Larkin for lawn bowls. 

Best local achievement went to lawn bowler Damian Kleindienst, who became only the second person at the  Uralla Bowling Club to win the singles, pairs, triples and fours in the one year, while shooter and New England North West Champion of Champions Derry Crisp was the regional achiever.

Shooter Melanie Frost was named the Junior Sports Star of the Year for her efforts on the range after winning silver and bronze at the world shooting titles in Slovenia.

She beat a high quality field of finalists that included hockey star Nathan Czinner, mountain bike guns Katherine Hosking, Emily and Harry Wooster, athletics talents Kelsie Youman, Milly Mazzei and Stuart Geddes, Chloe Lincoln for football and Jorja Power for horse sports.

In recognition of being the fastest under 12 boy in the state, Sprinter Andre Cooper received the FM 100.3 medal, while Armidale netballer of the year Olivia Joyce won the local achievement award and Morgan Dunn regional award after excelling on the AFL field.

The New England under 15 boys hockey side that won the Division 2 state title picked up the Junior Team of the Year gong while Queensland and NSW masters rowing champions Tim Rogers and John Grant were recognised as the Senior Team of the Year.

The best junior local achievement award went to the TAS first eleven football side that won the grand final of the Armidale and District Football competition.

The Guyra under 10s, which was undefeated in the Group 19 competition and the Armidale juniors Rams senior girls league tag side shared the regional achievement award, while the state achievement gong went to the NEGS polocrosse squad that won the Coonabarabran Horse Expo polocrosse title.

The undefeated VIP Pulse Division 1 netball side won the senior local achievement award, while lawn bowlers Elfie Brunner and Kerri Fittler, who won the district title were the regional achievers.

The state honours went to the Armidale Athletics club that won 94 medals at the NSW Country track and field titles.

Kirsty Brunsdon for more then ten years service to New England North West Special Olympics, Gina Lockyer for many years of service to Guyra Junior rugby league, Phil and Marilyn Wheaton for services to football especially North Armidale United, and Marion Cameron for over 30 years of service to the Armidale ExServices womens lawn bowls clubs were also recognised for their contribution receiving Newcastle Permanent Contribution to Sport awards.