City Calls for Nominations for 2010 Australia Day Awards

Once again, the breakfast celebration will be held at John Creaney Reserve in Bull Creek. The event will kick off at 8.30am, with a flag-raising ceremony from 9.00am, a citizenship ceremony from 9.15am and the Australia Day Awards presentation starting about 9.40am.

The Awards, held in conjunction with the Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Awards 2010, will be presented to acknowledge achievements by individuals and community groups who have made an outstanding contribution to the community, thereby making our City a great place to live, work, and play.

There are three categories, being: Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award; Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award for a person under 25 (as at 26 January 2010); and Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award for a community group or event.

On Australia Day 2009, the City recognised Leeming resident Margaret Kingsbury as 2009 Citizen of the Year for her passionate commitment to community work, especially in the environment sector.

Ms Kingsbury is involved in various initiatives and groups, including Friends of Piney Lakes, the School Volunteer Program, Leeming Community Group, and the City initiative the Community Development Program. “I was also part of the City-run Stepping Stones group, which encourages residents to create gardens with corridors for birds and reptiles, and the Quenda Project at Piney Lakes. There is so much happening in the City – and once I retired I had more time to be a part of it,” she said.

“I think when considering nominating for the 2010 Awards, people just need to look at community members who they see putting in time. These are community awards and should recognise those who are making a difference in the community,” she said.

The MORE Community Group was also acknowledged as 2009 Community Group of the Year at the previous Australia Day awards for working with the City to support the purchase of the old Melville Primary School site for public open space.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said we all knew someone who had given up countless hours to volunteering or had achieved something remarkable in their work or studies. “You might even know of an amazing community event organised by a group that you admire. Individuals or groups can be nominated for contributing significantly to the City of Melville in any field – such as the environment, sport, the arts, community welfare or voluntary work,” he said. “I strongly encourage residents to nominate for the 2010 awards in the spirit of community connectedness – and so that this work and generosity does not go unnoticed.”

The City of Melville will donate $100* to the three individuals who nominate the successful candidates and $400* to each of the winners of the City of Melville Australia Day Awards.

Nomination forms are available at www.melvillecity.com.au/community/australia-day-awards, as well as at City libraries and community centres. If you would like a form posted to you, phone 1300 635 845. Any queries should be directed to Neighbourhood Development Officer (East) Teresa Campbell on 1300 635 845 or via email to Teresa.Campbell@melville.wa.gov.au.

*Prize money is to be donated to a community group of their choice based within the City of Melville.