Australia Day Awards Ceremony
Monday, 26 January 2009. Ryde Civic Centre, 10.00am –11.30am
Their ages range from 16 to 84. Some are life long residents, others came from overseas. They include doctors, students, volunteers and educators, an accountant, a bus driver, an opera star, even an F1 racing driver. Whether they are natural leaders, or quiet achievers, they have excelled in their undertakings to earn the admiration of the community and to be seen as role models. They are the nominees for the 2009 City of Ryde Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year.
The sixteen nominees will be honoured, and the winners announced, at an Australia Day Ceremony on Monday, 26 January 2009.
Mayor for the City of Ryde, Clr Vic Tagg, said the Awards recognise outstanding service by individuals who contribute to the quality of life and wellbeing of the community of Ryde.
“These are the best of the best so it is indeed a challenge to single out one individual for special recognition when there are so many deserving citizens in our community.
“The quality of nominees and the broad diversity of their achievements made this year’s selection very difficult.
“One thing is clear, however – leadership and community spirit is thriving in the City of Ryde,” the Mayor said.
The Selection Panel for 2009 Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year comprised the Mayor Clr Vic Tagg, the Deputy Mayor Clr. Sarkis Yedelian, Clr Roy Maggio and Clr Bill Pickering.
Also taking part in the special Australia Day Ceremony will be 50 new Australian Citizens, all local residents representing 18* countries, who will receive their Australian Citizenship Certificate on our national day.
* Austria, Bangladesh, Ecuador, England, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peoples Republic of China, Philippines, Republic of South Korea, Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Ukraine, USA.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 2009 NOMINATIONS
Dr John Austin
For more than six decades, Dr. John Austin has dedicated his life and knowledge to the care and treatment of his patients. His compassionate and thoughtfulness also goes to friends or colleagues in need. His commitment for the wider community has been well served through his 36 year involvement with Rotary. He also has long associations with the Red Cross, the AMA, Gladesville Probus (where he hosts a monthly book club), and assisted with World Youth Day.
Cathy Brennan
Cathy Brennan is a wife, a mother of two children and has been principal of Concord West Public School for nine years. Under her positive and inspiration leadership she has helped the school improve and flourish. Cathy is a hands-on principal who involves herself in the day to day running of the school, interacting closely with the students and teachers and helping to raise much needed funds development.
Malcolm Donnelly AM
For over 30 years, Malcolm Donnelly enjoyed a distinguished international career in opera including a long association with Opera Australia. Since retiring from the stage 3 years ago, Mr. Donnelly has continued to support young artists by way of adjudication, teaching and involvement with the Music Board of Opera Foundation. He was awarded the Australia Medal for services to the arts.
Merryl Foster
Mrs Merryl Foster is an 81 year old woman who remains completely independent in her day to day life. She has dedicated her life to helping people and finds time to do so while managing several jobs including house cleaning, scripture teaching (she received both the Cardinal Gilroy and Cardinal Freeman Awards for 40 years of distinguished service) and numerous volunteering roles. Her contribution to the community, her friends, family and church is unmeasurable.
Eskandar Gharakhanian
Eskandar Gharakhanian was born in Iran and immigrated to Australia with his family in 1985. An accountant by profession, he immediately became involved in community work establishing the Armenian Social Support group. He has worked tirelessly to help improve the lives of Armenians, particularly seniors, in the Ryde area. Since 1993 he has provided support and guidance for the group and still prepares their financial statements.
Shirley Hilton
Described as an honest, genuine and good old fashion Australian, Shirley has worked as a sister for many years and is current the Acting Director at Fernleigh Nursing Home. Always welcoming and helpful, she gives 100% of her time and effort to the residents at the home, ensuring they receive the best possible care. Her expert guidance and sound advice is sought by staff, colleagues and residents alike.
Dr John Knight AM
Cairman of the Medi-Aid Centre Foundation, Dr. John Knight has dedicated his life to the care of elderly, disabled and disadvantaged people, in particular through the provision of purpose built accommodation such a Vimiera Village at Eastwood. A graduate of Sydney University, Dr. Knight is also well known as a media medic dispensing advice and health tips in simple easy-to-understand language. In 1998 Dr Knight was awarded the Order of Australia (AM).
Ronald Robinson
A resident for over 40 years, Ronald Robinson has always shown his community spirit through volunteer work, notably as the unofficial caretaker and general helper at the Uniting Church Boronia Park. In 1996 Ron started as a volunteer bus driver and helper for Hunters Hill Ryde Community Services and through this work he has helped to ease the social isolation of many frail and aged residents of our City.
Frank Rogers
A World War II veteran who served in the Pacific, Frank Rogers moved to the Ryde area in the 1950s. A dedicated family man and employee at several large manufacturing companies, he also helped set up a social network group for the Tongan community. Frank retired in 1986 and has continued to give to the community through his volunteering, always ready to help those in need. In particular, he has acted as a tutor at the St Anthony’s Parish School English Conversation Group.
Terry Ryan
Terry Ryan gained early distinction through his love of motor racing when he was crowned “rooky of the year” in the Australian F1 Grand Prix in 1984. Standing as a Councillor in 2004, Terry worked hard for his electorate, championing local issues of every kind all with a vision for a safe, modern and exciting place to live and work. He generously provides his outstanding collection of unique cars to be seen and used at numerous community events.
Stephen Sim
A well known identity thanks to his many master of ceremonies roles at local community events, Stephen Sim has many strings to his volunteering bow, including as rugby and cricket coach for kids, radio presenter, driver, handy man, fund raiser, committee member and human rights activist. He was instrumental in setting up the North Ryde Community Bank and is a member of two local Chambers of Commerce.
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 2009
James Black
James has been a dedicated member of the Ryde Youth Council since 2006 whose main role is representing and advocating for young people in the Ryde local government area. He is very involved in many of the projects completed by the Youth Council. James has volunteered and dedicated a great deal of time to creating successful youth projects and events for the Ryde Youth Council and young people in the local area including The Core at the Granny Smith Festival and Youth Week.
Cassandra Chan
In her role as Riverside Girls High School’s Special Project Coordinator of the Student Representative Council, Cassandra Chan managed and led fundraising for the World Vision 40 Hour Famine effort. By motivating over a thousands fellow students and teachers to support the World Vision projects she was instrumental in raising $22,000 in 2007 and $18,000 in 2008. She also organised a clothing drive for the Salvation Army and was involved in the Chinese Earthquake Appeal.
Vanessa Corbridge
A lifelong resident of our City, Vanessa has displayed a commendable attitude to helping others in the community in both her professional and personal lives. Vanessa, the holder of a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) degree, uses this tertiary qualification in her work as a Family Support Worker at St Anthony's Family Care in Croydon. She provides family support and case work services to families who have children with a disability and to Sudanese refugees. In addition to this demanding work she gives generously of her time as a volunteer to several organisations.
Katie Drever
Katie is a Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award recipient and is currently School Captain and a Member of the Student Representative Council at Marsden High. A natural leader who sets by example, Katie helped raise funds for various causes, including breast cancer and Youghlife Australia. She also gives generously of her time to her Church - St Columbs – where, for many years, she has helped in various children’s after hour and holiday activities. Katie is a keen member of local netball and tennis clubs.
Media contact: Lee Kirkland, City of Ryde, T 9952 8083
