By Jim Mynard
THE City of Casey will announce its Citizen of the Year Awards on Australia Day, Thursday, 26 January.
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford said the awards provided an opportunity to officially recognise the efforts of individuals and groups who had made a difference in the community through any number of activities.
He commended the nominees, saying he was impressed by the stories of individuals and also by the events that helped bring the community together.
Citizen of the Year nominees
Helen Evans, Devon Meadows
Mrs Evans shares her skill and love of quilting and handsewn patchwork by volunteering to teach others and establishing valued community craft groups.
Robyn Garbutt, Cranbourne North
Mrs Garbutt is a dedicated volunteer with Guides Victoria and supports several worthwhile causes. “Hundreds of girls have benefited from her leadership skills over the years,” said her nominators.
Alyssa Gray, Doveton
Ms Gray’s nominators say she is a great person to have in the neighbourhood and she is an outstanding community leader who is always there to lend a hand.
Roger Hall, Narre Warren
Mr Hall’s commitment to the youth of Casey was recognised as outstanding and reflects his belief that all citizens should participate in the education of young people.
David Hawkins, Endeavour Hills
Mr Hawkins’ roles in rugby union extend from strapper to club president, reflecting his passion for the sport and his energy and enthusiasm.
Pastor Grant Ludlow, Doveton
Pastor Ludlow works with the Baptist Benevolent Society.
He is highly respected by his parishioners and the DovetonEumemmerring community for his work for the parish and broader community.
Sonia Tresca, Berwick
Ms Tresca is making a fantastic contribution to young people in the City of Casey. Her nominators said she had taken on leadership roles, mentored newer members, liaised with other organisations – even cleaned toilets.
Grace Woltanski, Endeavour Hills
Mrs Woltanski has for more than 10 years supported multiculturalism in Casey through her efforts and work among the Polish community.
Young Citizen of the Year nominees
Nicholas Anderson, Endeavour Hills
Mr Anderson is described by his nominators as a student with a great community spirit. This is obvious in his many achievements as a student and as a member of sporting clubs.
Shannon Barnes, Narre Warren
Ms Barnes is an active student and contributor at the Eumemmerring Campus, Fountain Gate, and a “quiet achiever” and “genuine allrounder”.
Danie Bunting, Berwick
Mr Bunting is a committed and tireless worker for the school community at Berwick Secondary College and takes a leadership role and participates in several school and community programs.David Campbell, Hampton Park
Mr Campbell is the first student from the Victoria Certificate of Applied Learning to be appointed Hampton Park Secondary College captain. He is described as “an excellent role model and ideal citizen”.
Shannon Elso, Cranbourne
Ms Elso is an outstanding student at Cranbourne Secondary College. She is skilled at organising and planning, which is evident in her many achievements in the community and at school.
Eliza Kelly, Narre Warren South
The Narre Warren South P12 College student’s involvement in school and community activities makes her “an outstanding role model for all members of our learning community”.
Ines Krak, Cranbourne
An outstanding student at Cranbourne Secondary College, Ms Krak is a consistent high achiever who is in the top group of students in her year level. She is also a talented flautist.
Elyse Manson, Hallam
Ms Manson is a conscientious student at Eumemmerring College, Gleneagles Campus, with a real community focus.
Dale Mills, Narre Warren
Mr Mills is a fulltime university student and volunteer with the Berwick Amateur Theatrical Society. He has excelled in the roles and activities he has embraced in supporting Casey’s performing artists.
Nicole Pittau, Cranbourne
In addition to being an outstanding student at Cranbourne Secondary College, Ms Pittau is a gifted flautist who shares her gift with the community.
Senior Citizen of the Year nominees
Patricia Catt, Hallam
A truly selfless volunteer, Ms Catt has dedicated years to Cub Scouts, the church and the Salvation Army.
Peter Hall, Hampton Park
Mr Hall is an active volunteer in community and seniors’ groups. He is a very caring and considerate person who has contributed to the community of Casey.
Margaret Hill, Berwick
Mrs Hill has been active in volunteer work for most of her life and is involved in many areas of service, including providing assistance to older people with a disability.
Lindsay King, Cranbourne
Mr King is passionate about his community and attracting tourists to the region. He has been an active volunteer for many years.
Helga Maude Lehtinen, Narre Warren
Mrs Lehtinen has a strong sense of social justice and care and has dedicated many years of service to the people of Casey, in particular through her work with the indigenous community.
Beryl Maddern, Cranbourne
Mrs Maddern has been a dedicated volunteer at many levels. She is a charitable and familyoriented person who has been active in the community for 50 years.
NonResident of the Year nominees
Lisa Benn, Drouin
Mrs Benn is a highly respected art teacher at Berwick Secondary College. Her work with the wider community has been inspirational. She is active in the college community with environmental projects in her work as a teacher and as an artist.
Sam Castello, Chelsea
Mr Castello is a local businessman and owner/operator of a prestigious venue who has been nominated for his generosity in providing financial and inkind support, including the use of his facilities, goods and time, to many groups.
Dawn Ridsdale, Upwey
Ms Ridsdale has been thanked for her efforts as an active promoter and supporter of performing arts in the City of Casey.
Lei Sheng Tong, Keysborough
Mr Tong is a wellregarded senior citizen whose outstanding efforts have helped to establish many organisations to assist the Chinese community.
Community Event of the Year – 2005
Casey Central Community Carols by Candlelight
Almost 1000 people enjoyed the inaugural Casey Central Community Carols by Candlelight at Narre Warren South P12 College. This was a real ‘community’ event with music and singing by local churches, artists and the Cranbourne Chorale.
Cranbourne Car and Bike Show
The show, held in March at Lawson Poole Reserve, attracted about 15,000 people, catering to all ages and interests.
Doveton Eumemmerring Show Day
The first show day proved a great success with more than 5000 people attending. Held in September at Myuna Farm, the show was accessible and affordable entertainment for local families.
Festival of Friendship
The festival, held in Marchat Narre Warren South P12 College, celebrated Cultural Diversity Week with cultural performance, arts, activities and food from students of all year levels.
Narre Warren North Uniting Church Community Carols
For the 15th consecutive year, the carols, at Claire Robinson Park, Narre Warren North, offered traditional carol singing and entertainment to bring the community together and teach children the meaning of Christmas and family unity.
Pearcedale Remembrance Day
The service observed in Pearcedale had a focus on educating children on the meaning of the day and involved local grade six students in a handover of knowledge to remember and respect the past.
Staying Healthy in Diversity
Held in June at the Mechanics Institute Hall, Narre Warren, the event brought together more than 100 women from a range of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
We Are One Day
Thomas Mitchell Primary School in Endeavour Hills held the event in November, with a range of multicultural activities and a shared lunch. More than 60 nationalities are represented at the primary school.
