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Community Awards

The City of Whittlesea Community Awards recognise the outstanding service of residents who have made a valuable contribution to our community.

2023 Community Awards

The City of Whittlesea Community Awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions made by members of our community.

The Awards celebrate the voluntary or above-and-beyond contributions of nominees who live, work, volunteer or study in the City of Whittlesea.

The 2023 City of Whittlesea Community Awards recipients were announced at the Community Festival on Sunday 17 March, 2024. 

Congratulations to our Award recipients. 

 

Citizen of the Year: Judith Clements 

As a member of the Whittlesea Showgrounds and Recreation Reserves Committee of Management, Judith has been volunteering to support the Whittlesea Showgrounds and Whittlesea Park for over 30 years. Judith is also a life member of the Whittlesea Agricultural Society Inc., on the board of the Yan Yean Cemetery Trust, is a member of the Whittlesea Historical Society, Friends of Toorourrong and Whittlesea Township and Surrounds Community Resilience Committee and works tirelessly to support these associations and in turn the Whittlesea community.   

 

Senior Citizen of the Year: Christine McDonald 

Christine is the founder of the Doreen Baby Boomers Facebook page; a group where seniors in the community can get together, meet new people and socialise. The group has helped many seniors in the area to connect and form friendships. Christine shares information and organises activities and outings including luncheons, book club, walking groups and guest speakers. 

 

Young Citizen of the Year: Kaynat 

Kaynat is a dedicated young person who is an active voice for young people in the community. Kaynat has worked on projects and campaigns addressing issues facing young people’s health and wellbeing, including vaping and gambling. Kaynat was an active member of the Youth Advisory Committee and is now a member of the City of Whittlesea Youth Council.   

 

Access and Inclusion Citizen of the Year: Norma Medawar 

Norma is the founder of the Zenobia Association, a not-for-profit agency that supports refugee and migrant women to build a new life in Australia. Through Zenobia, Norma offers a range of information sessions, wellbeing programs, cultural events and excursions. Norma is a well-respected mentor and leader within the Syrian community and takes pride in her role as a Job Victoria Mentor at Whittlesea Community Connections, assisting people from CALD backgrounds into employment.    

 

Sustainable Environment Citizen of the Year: Ben Coleman 

Ben manages local environmental sustainability group EnviroFriends, actively working to restore wetlands. Working as an Environmental Science teacher at St.Monica’s College, Ben and his students also maintain the school garden and build and monitor nesting boxes for birds and possums. Ben runs the BirdNET-Pi education program and is passionate about teaching young people about climate change and helping them get involved in environmental sustainability.   

Award criteria

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

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

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

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

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

Entries for the 2023 Whittlesea Community Awards are open from Monday 13 November 2023 and close on Sunday 18 February 2024. Entries muse be received on or before the closing date.

Recipients will be decided by the City of Whittlesea Awards Committee.

The Awards Committee 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 that are nominated for a Whittlesea Community Award may be considered for a category other than the one they are nominated in.

All enquiries and award nomination material will remain confidential (with the exception of nominee’s names and whose nomination material will be used in the award ceremony) unless the City of Whittlesea obtains express permission for use.