Greater Geraldton celebrates residents with Australia Day Community Citizen of the Year Awards

Eighteen worthy nominations will be narrowed down to four winners on Friday for the City of Greater Geraldton’s Community Citizen of the Year awards.

Four categories aim to recognise residents doing amazing work for the community in active citizenship (for group/event), community citizen of the year, senior community citizen of the year and young community citizen of the year.

A separate category for Mullewa residents is available to recognise outstanding people and organisations in the area.

In a survey of 2023 recipients, 86 per cent of respondents said the awards assisted in generating better community connections, and 75 per cent said it helped increase public awareness of their cause or organisation and built social cohesion.

Awards to the winners in their respective categories will be presented at the QEII Centre on Australia Day this Friday between 10.30-11.30am.

Last year’s winners included Nick Austin for community citizen, Hannah Miles for young citizen, Karen Giles for senior citizen and the Marina Parkrun for active citizenship.

COMMUNITY CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Active Citizenship

• Chapman River Friends: Raising awareness and educating the community about the importance and cultural significance of the area).
• Christmas Bonanza: Euphorium team who volunteer their time to bring the community together for events).
• Switched on Seniors: Volunteers helping seniors gain new skills and confidence using technology.
• Geraldton Yoga: 14 local yoga teachers who increase the community’s health and wellbeing through yoga.

Community Citizen of the Year

• Gerard Marquis: Volunteers to keep junior cricket going in the region and organises the team to attend country week every year.
• Donna Anderson: A community orientated, patient person who gives up her time.
• Prakas Neupane: Supports local producers and provides the best quality, service, and price through his Midwest Fresh Market.
• Bryan Bird: Contributing to the community working as a police officer for over 30-plus years who has saved countless lives.
• Josephine Norman: Volunteering her time to clean/declutter more than 300 homes in Geraldton to people in need.
• Dr Taryn Leigh Foster: Is working hard to save the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystem, coral reefs. Designing a unique system that automates coral propagation.
• Belinda Flavel: Always encourages others to seek help and has started BeStable, an assisted counselling program for adults and children.
• Brie-anne Mauger: Volunteered with the police rangers for more than 15 years, working with the youth of the Geraldton Community.
• Kiara Jones: Successfully managing both Wandina Playgroup and Geraldton Toy Library; also vice-president of Toy Libraries Australia.
• Chantel Crinquand: Chantel is the founder and driver behind the popular Geraldton Yoga Club running for more than six years.

Senior Community Citizen of the Year

• Carol Williams: Carol volunteers daily for several local organisations such as Centacare, Parkrun, and Gero Clean Up Crew.
• Yvonne Lovedee: Establishing the Midwest Multicultural Association and bringing together cultural groups.
• Karen Giles: Creates baby bundles/packs for expecting parents using donations from the community.
• Lenci Millman: For more than 15 years Lenci has volunteered at Geraldton Dog Rescue and has a passion for all animals.

Young Community Citizen of the Year

• James Treasure: Very active in Woorree Scout Group and attends Clean Up Australia leading him to help his school recycling program.
• Elizabeth Lockyer: A vital member of Geraldton Suicide Prevention Group, dedicating her time to improving mental health.
• Jessica Jones: The first WA winner of the Bunnings Warehouse Australia Trade Women in Apprenticeship Award, with only 10 awards on offer.
• Sabine Angelatos: An amazing contributor to the Serpents Water Polo Club and Geraldton Surf Lifesaving Club.

Mullewa

• Mullewa Wildflower Show Committee: 35 years of dedication to the Mullewa Community, providing a tourist attraction with no outside funding.
• Tara Merry: Supporting and uplifting Indigenous youth and actively working to create opportunities for the young community.