Media Release - Warringah's 2012 Australia Day Awards
The 2012 Warringah Australia Day Awards will be presented at Glen Street Theatre on Thursday 26 January to Warringah's Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Event of the Year and 10 inspiring community members.
The Warringah 2012 Citizen of the Year will be Josie Parata-Halo in recognition of her outstanding volunteer service and commitment in assisting single mothers and children in need.
Josie, herself a single mum with four children, provides a support program SMS Lighthouse to help single mums and the hurdles they face when leaving troubled relationships.
"Josie is a truly inspirational character and her work has greatly benefited the Warringah community," said Warringah Mayor, Michael Regan.
Tristan Scifo will be 2012 Young Citizen of the Year in recognition of his outstanding volunteer service and leadership in promoting and supporting youth in the Warringah community.
Tristan volunteers in many capacities, including running biannual leadership camps for high school students and leading a weekly support group for young adults.
"Tristan rose to the top of a very strong field of deserving young people," said the Mayor.
"We'll be seeing a lot more of him in the future," he added.
Nicholas Brice, who tragically died in an abseiling accident in August, last year, will be awarded an Outstanding Community Service Award.
"Nicholas Brice was an extraordinary young man who achieved amazing things at Belrose Rural Fire Service, South Narrabeen Surf Lifesaving Club and elsewhere. I am proud that his contribution can be formally recognised in this way," said the Mayor.
Beyond Megafest will be awarded the 2012 Community Event of the Year in recognition of the positive education and support provided to Warringah youth.
Outstanding Community Service Awards will be presented to the following people:
- Nicholas Brice, in recognition of outstanding volunteer service and commitment to the Belrose Rural Fire Service and Surf Life Saving (awarded posthumously).
- Joan Backhouse, in recognition of outstanding service and commitment to supporting the mentally ill.
- Layne Beachley, in recognition of outstanding service and commitment to providing young women with the opportunity to achieve their goals.
- Nicky Cassidy, in recognition of outstanding volunteer service and commitment through the Pamper the Parents program.
- Ted Cragg, in recognition of outstanding volunteer service and commitment to Rotary and the disabled.
- Anthony Haven, in recognition of outstanding volunteer service and commitment to Surf Life Saving.
- Cathy Hockey, in recognition of outstanding volunteer service and commitment to protecting and improving Warringah's environment.
- Jeannie Joselin, in recognition of outstanding service and commitment to improving student health and education at Wakehurst Public School.
- Faye McColl, in recognition of outstanding service and commitment to the needs of those in aged care facilities in Warringah.
- Vida Tartakover, in recognition of outstanding volunteer service and commitment to the Warringah Library Service.