Whittlesea Community Awards

Criteria:

The Citizen of the Year is for an individual who has made an important contribution or given outstanding service to the community during the past 12-months or over a number of years.  The Award was open to all ages.

Nominations were assessed on the following criteria:

• Demonstrates values that reflect the City of Whittlesea vision of being ‘A Place for All’
• Is a positive role model for others
• Shows leadership and vision for the future of the community
• Undertakes activities that promote a connected community

Award Winner:

Citizen of the Year: Deborah Azzopardi

Deborah has been an Epping CFA member for over 20 years, having attended thousands of call outs to provide support to fire, road rescue and much more. Deborah has received medals for her contribution to the 2009 bushfires, a National Service Award and been named fire fighter of the year. She actively supports and trains other CFA members for the Epping CFA, and is also a peer support officer, providing support and counselling to CFA members. Deborah not only supports our local community, but also travels interstate to support other communities in crisis when needed. In addition to her duties with the Epping CFA, Deborah is a first aid trainer and also a committed L2P volunteer, supervising young learner drivers while they gain their required 120 hours of driving experience. Deborah is also a regular on the local netball scene, where she has umpired for more than 20 years – if you’ve ever played netball in the northern suburbs, you have probably had Deborah as your umpire at some stage.

Criteria:

The Young Citizen of the Year is for an individual, aged between 14 and 25 years old as of 1 Nov 2022, who has made an important contribution or given outstanding service to the community during the past 12-months or over a number of years.

Nominations were assessed on whether the nominee demonstrates any or all of the following: 

• Demonstrates values that reflect the City of Whittlesea vision of being ‘A Place for All’
• Is a positive role model for others
• Shows leadership and vision for the future of the community
• Undertakes activities that promote a connected community

Award Winner:

Young Citizen of the Year: Hansikaa Sharma

Hansikaa is 14 years old and is the young ambassador of Sanskriti community group, helping with the running of the not-for-profit organisation which supports women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Hansikaa also initiated a number of community support projects, including leading and working with classmates to make over 100 handmade Christmas cards which she personally delivered to each of the 102 residents at the Meadowglen Care Community, as well as making over 100 packs of toothpaste and toothbrushes that were donated to local charity Big Group Hug. Hansikaa also volunteers her time as a literacy and numeracy tutor through Whittlesea Community Connections, volunteered during Homelessness Week, is on the Whittlesea Youth Advisory Committee, Whittlesea Youth Environment Action Group and Australian Youth Climate Coalition.

Criteria:

The Senior Citizen of the Year is for an individual, aged 60 years or older as of 1 November 2022, who has made an important contribution or given outstanding service to the community during the past 12-months or over a number of years.

Nominations were assessed on whether the nominee demonstrates any or all of the following: 

• Demonstrates values that reflect the City of Whittlesea vision of being ‘A Place for All’
• Is a positive role model for others
• Shows leadership and vision for the future of the community
• Undertakes activities that promote a connected community

Award Winner:

Senior Citizen of the Year: Mark Beeby

Mark worked as a local GP in the City of Whittlesea for 41 years before his retirement in November 2022. His commitment to ensuring the community was taken care of was paramount during his career. Mark’s work spanned palliative care for people in their homes, caring for multiple generations of the same family, continued care for people once they moved into aged care and training the next generation of doctors and ensuring everyone was treated with respect and care. 

Criteria:

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 will consider the contribution of nominees during the past 12-months or over a number of years.

Nominations were assessed on whether the nominee demonstrates any or all of the following:  

• Takes action to improve opportunities for everyone to participate fully
• Raises awareness and advocates for our community to be more inclusive
• Growing opportunities for those restricted due to physical, social or other challenges to participate achieving positive outcomes that increase participation for residents where participation
• decreasing discrimination for residents

Award winner

Access and Inclusion Citizen of the Year: Steven Kim Huat Lim

Steven has volunteered with Whittlesea Community Connections for over three years as a volunteer bus driver, driving three days a week, from 8am-4pm. Steven provides this important service to vulnerable members of our community, driving them to medical appointments, shopping, or to social groups. Steven was also a valuable member of the Whittlesea Community Connections team during the COVID lockdowns, volunteering three times a week in the organisation’s Emergency Relief response, that included providing transport for older residents for crucial medical appointments or delivering meal packages or material aid. Steven is also very active in his local community, helping neighbours and fostering connections to prevent isolation of those living alone. He is a member of the Whittlesea Neighbourhood Watch and a foster carer and volunteer with the Second Chance Animal Rescue and Hospital. 

Criteria:

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 will consider the contribution of nominees during the past 12-months or over a number of years.

Nominations were assessed on whether the nominee demonstrates any or all of the following: 

• Demonstrating stewardship of our valued natural landscapes and biodiversity
• Promoting climate readiness and resilience
• Showing leadership in sustainable living initiatives

Award Winner:

Sustainable Citizen of the Year: Tanya Sharma

Tanya is 11 years old and initiated an education campaign on the dangers of cigarette butt litter. This included getting 237 signatures from locals in support of getting cigarette butt bins installed around local schools, parks and shopping centres. Tanya’s petition was tabled at the Council Meeting in September 2022 and bins are now being installed at locations including PRACC, Mernda shops and at TRAC in Thomastown. Tanya is also an active and passionate member of the Youth Environment Action Group and has been involved in a number of other environmental activities, including World Environment Day, tree planting and the “Balloons No More” campaign.