City of Whittlesea Community Awards

The Citizen of the Year is awarded to an individual who has made an important contribution or given outstanding service to the community in the past 12 months or over a number of years. The award is open to all ages.

Nominees eligible for Citizen of the Year are assessed on whether they demonstrate any or all of the following:

• showing values that reflect our vision of the City of Whittlesea as ‘A Place for All’
• being a positive role model for others
• showing leadership and vision for the future of the community
• undertaking activities that promote a connected community.

The Young Citizen of the Year is for an individual, aged between 14 and 25 years old as of 1 November, who has made an important contribution or given outstanding service to the community in the past 12 months or over a number of years.

Nominees for Young Citizen of the Year are assessed on whether they demonstrate any or all of the following:

• showing values that reflect our vision of the City of Whittlesea as ‘A Place for All’
• being a positive role model for others
• showing leadership and vision for the future of the community
• undertaking activities that promote a connected community.

The Senior Citizen of the Year is for an individual, aged 60 years or older as of 1 November, who has made an important contribution or given outstanding service to the community in the past 12 months or over a number of years.

Nominees for are assessed on whether they demonstrate any or all of the following:

• showing values that reflect our vision of the City of Whittlesea as ‘A Place for All’
• being a positive role model for others
• showing leadership and vision for the future of the community
• undertaking activities that promote a connected community.

The Access and Inclusion Citizen of the Year is for an individual who has made an important contribution or given outstanding service to the community by including others whose access to participation is restricted due to physical, social or other challenges.

The award is open to all ages and takes into account the contribution of nominees during the past 12 months or over a number of years.

Nominees are assessed on whether they demonstrate any or all of the following:

• taking action to improve opportunities for everyone to participate fully
• raising awareness and advocating for our community to be more inclusive
• creating opportunities to increase participation for residents restricted by physical, social or other challenges; or, achieving positive outcomes that increase participation 
• reducing discrimination for residents.

The Sustainable Environment Citizen or Group of the Year is for an individual or group that has actively responded to, and engaged others in, an environmental issue impacting the City of Whittlesea.

The award is open to all ages and takes into account nominees’ contributions during the past 12 months or over a number of years.

Nominations are assessed on whether the nominees demonstrate any or all of the following:

• showing stewardship of our valued natural landscapes and biodiversity
• promoting climate readiness and resilience
• showing leadership in sustainable living initiatives.

• Entries must be received on or before the closing date.
• Recipients will be decided by the City of Whittlesea Awards Committee.
• The Awards Committee's decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into relating to the decision.
• Nominees, nominators or referees may be contacted for further information by City of Whittlesea staff.
• Individuals may be nominated for more than one category; however, each individual can only be nominated once per category.
• Individuals or groups nominated for a City of Whittlesea Community Award may be considered for an award in a category other than the one they are nominated in.
• All enquiries and award nomination material will remain confidential unless the City of Whittlesea obtains express permission for use. The exception is for nominee’s names and for nomination material used in the award ceremony.

An active member and executive of the Whittlesea Interfaith Network, Dr. Soni is a strong advocate for inclusivity and community connection, promoting interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding to help create a space where people from all backgrounds feel valued, respected, and heard.

Following his participation in the City of Whittlesea Community Leadership Program, Dr. Soni is also dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering leadership development and has established a nationwide network to help budding entrepreneurs. His ongoing efforts to collaborations and community-driven events has certainly helped strengthen social connection within the community. 

Bill has been a volunteer radio presenter with 88.6 Plenty Valley FM for 36 years. As one of the station's longest serving and most highly regarded on-air presenters, Bill is a role model and mentor for the newer volunteers who have joined the station over the years.

Bill is the driving force behind all of PVFMs outside broadcasts, has served on the Committee of Management as treasurer for many years, and is the emergency coordinator and liaison with local emergency response teams for PVFM. Bill’s selfless contribution to PVFM and community broadcasting is to be commended. 

Zachary is dedicated to creating positive change, with a strong focus on issues facing young people, including youth health and wellbeing, safe inclusive sport participation for youth and educating young people on how to honour and support the legacy of our veterans. 

A member of the Australian Army Cadets, a City of Whittlesea Youth Councillor and the former Youth Mayor and the current Year 12 college captain at his school, Zachary has shown leadership across many areas. Zachary has led the student representative Council at his school in raising funds to support the local community and was also the mental health and wellbeing ambassador at school, promoting the importance of mental health in young people.

As the driving force behind the Free to Be Me playgroup program, Zoe has transformed the lives of countless children with additional needs by providing a safe, welcoming and engaging environment where they can thrive without barriers. Through this program, Zoe has created a supportive community where parents can connect, share experiences and access crucial resources.

Zoe also provides support and guidance for families as they navigate services, accessing early intervention and securing appropriate school placements.

Jim has been a strong advocate and participant in various conservation projects, including the Friends of Plenty River Gorge, and is a tireless volunteer with Parks Victoria.

Jim leads groups, responds to request for help from local landcare groups, and loves sharing his knowledge and deep passion for the Plenty Gorge Park. Jim also loves to promote wellness and the benefits of the great outdoors through sharing his stories with others.