Perth Voice Interactive

CITIZENS who’ve put in long hours helping the homeless, their neighbourhoods, and even the oceans were recognised at this years’ Community Citizen of the Year Awards on Australia Day. 

STIRLING:

Community citizen of the year goes to Rob Geersen who volunteers with Starkick, an all-abilities program for kids at Coolbinia Football Club. Mayor Mark Irwin said Mr Geersen was awarded for “promoting inclusivity, fostering a sense of community and providing equal opportunities for children with disability”. 

• Senior community citizen of the year is Maureen Banham, founder of the Karrinyup Mall Walkers. This walking group for seniors provides for exercise and socialising in a safe (and weather-proof) environment. 

• Young community citizen of the year is Marwa Wasiqe for her work with young multicultural groups in not-for profits and government advisory bodies, and mentoring youth in the Afghan community. 

• The group award goes to Uluu, a new-ish company aiming to keep garbage out of oceans by replacing plastic with an easily-biodegradable material made from seaweed. 

PERTH:

CITIZEN of the year is Jane Armstrong from Homelessness; We Care, for their work fundraising and providing food, care, and company for homeless people, refugees, unemployed and disabled people.

• Youth citizen of the year went to Kate Kirwin who’s getting more young women involved in STEM, developing coding skills through her “Perth Web Girls” group.

• The senior community citizen award went to Paul Ennis, who’s spent more than 60 years servicing the Perth Town Hall clock, meticulously keeping it ticking while preserving its heritage. 

• The group award went to Sensorium Theatre, which holds live theatre shows featuring elements like touch, taste, smell and sound, catering for young people with disabilities.

BAYSWATER:

LONG-TIME Bayswater town centre presence Greg Da Rui won community citizen of the year. A pharmacist by trade, he’s involved with the Bayswater Traders Association, the Baysie Rollers, and co-founded Future Bayswater. He was also recognised for his work with the Bayswater Food Pantry initiative providing free food for the needy.

• Senior community citizen is Andrew Mollatt, who’s put in years of volunteer work as a driver for the community bus. 

• High school student Lola Donkin is young community citizen of the year, for her time helping the Maylands Historical and Peninsula Association update its street art displays and cataloguing local art. 

• The group award went to Friends of Lightning Swamp, who’ve spent 20 years rehabilitating the wetlands through weeding, planting, and collecting rubbish. 

• Bayswater also runs its own “Outstanding Women in Leadership” award, which went to Renee Cabassi for promoting physical health and social connection in local women. 

VINCENT: 

Doesn’t give out Australia Day awards, have any celebrations or ceremonies on January 26. The council briefly had non-denominational “Active Citizens” awards in the mid-2010s, but those were quietly retired even before Vincent councillors raised any opposition to celebrating on January 26.