Award winners and our newest citizens celebrated on Australia Day

30 January 2020

The City of Stirling has welcomed 240 new Australian citizens from 60 different countries and awarded members of the community for their exceptional service at the City’s 2020 Community Citizen of the Year Awards and Citizenship Ceremony.

Held in the Stirling’s Civic Gardens, Mayor Mark Irwin said it was a wonderful way to celebrate Australia Day with new citizens taking the pledge to become Australians and the City recognising the outstanding achievements of members of the community.

“The Citizenship Ceremony reflects the diverse and welcoming nature of the local community with 240 people from 60 countries choosing to reside and become new Australians in the City of Stirling.

“It is also an honour to present the Community Citizen of the Year Awards to members of the community who go above and beyond and make a positive impact. All winners and nominees should be very proud of their achievements,” Mayor Irwin said.

The Community Citizen of the Year Awards are held each year in conjunction with Auspire - The Australia Day Council WA.

This year’s winners are as follows:

Community Citizen of the Year - Ken Shorto

Part of the Balga Soccer Club for close to three decades, Ken has been instrumental in introducing the ‘Fee Free Football’ program where parents can cover their children’s playing fees by volunteering at the club. It has also proven to be very successful in helping people who have just arrived in the country and are looking for community connections.

Young Community Citizen of the Year (under 25 years) - Naomi Blitz

After rallying local youth to contribute to the City’s Youth Framework, Naomi has gone on to become a Stirling Youth Advocate and played a leadership role for the successful 2019 Groundswell event.

Senior Community Citizen of the Year (65 years or over) - Rae Kolb

Through the Stirling Natural Environment Coastcare group, Rae has devoted many years to planning and implementing annual dune restoration programs along the City’s 6.5km stretch of coastline.

Active Citizen Award (Community Group) - Wembley Downs District Fair

The award recognised the dedicated committee that has organised the popular community event for more than five decades which has gone from a modest eight stalls in 1968 to almost 100 stalls today. The committee features members of the 1st Wembley Downs Scout Group, local churches, schools and residents.

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