Australia Day honours for local champions

A crowd of approximately 700 people gathered at the Scarborough foreshore this morning to honour local champions and welcome new Australian citizens during one of WA’s largest annual Citizenship and awards Ceremony.

City of Stirling Mayor, Mark Irwin, was joined by Federal Member for Cowan, The Hon Dr Anne Aly MP, and Scarborough MLA Stuart Aubrey in recognising the contributions of local citizens to the fabric of the Stirling community who, in turn, provide inspiration to what can be achieved by the new citizens who took their pledge of allegiance to Australia today.

Mayor Mark Irwin said the City was proud to host the event in association with Auspire (Australia Day Council of Western Australia) as part of the Australian of the Year Awards program.

“Every community has local heroes, and every member of our community knows someone around them that has made the City of Stirling a better place this year,” he said.

“In 2022 we recognised leaders in philanthropy, local business, innovative mental health services, exceptional governance, leadership of sporting clubs, as well as creative activation of local business communities, and I thank them for service to the community this past year.

“And in 2023 are recognising the achievements of some phenomenal people with contributions spanning innovative housing support, funding raising for Telethon, inclusive outdoor activities for older Australians and those living with disabilities, and mental health service delivery.

“We saw 184 new citizens, from 42 nationalities, pledge themselves to Australia today and they in turn witnessed us honouring the contributions and values of members from the community they are part of.

“I look forward the continuing impact these winners will make in 2023 as ambassadors for service in our community and hope they inspire others to embrace the ideas and values of the City of Stirling.”

The City proudly announced the Community Citizen of the Year Award winners for 2023:

• Community Citizen of Year: Kate Miller
• Youth Community Citizen of the Year: Scott Guerini
• Active Citizenship Award (group): Motion by the Ocean
• Senior Community Citizen of the Year: Jean Jolley.

Nominations are now open for the 2024 Community Citizen of the Year Awards, so if you know someone inspiring consider nomination them at www.citizenshipawards.com.au.

The City also acknowledged long-serving City of Stirling employee Keith Rickman who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), by the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), in today’s Australia Day 2023 Honours List.

“Keith Rickman served the City of Stirling from the beginning of his career in 1973 until his retirement in late 2021 as the Coordinator of Waste Services,” Mayor Mark Irwin said.

“If you count the years he spent as a teenager volunteering for the City by handing out informational pamphlets, his service spanned 50 years.

“In his final year with the City he was named Waste Champion in the 2021 Waste Sorted Awards, the annual awards organised by the State Government’s Waste Authority.

“A well-known and respected City employee, Keith was instrumental to the success of the Recycling Shop at the Recycling Centre Balcatta, he instituted the hugely successful charity clothing bin program, and as a forward thinker, was pivotal to the success of sector-wide improvements over his long career.

“Keith also worked with colleagues and Total Green Recycling to kick-start e-waste recycling across the City of Stirling, now one of the biggest e-waste collection partnerships in Australia.

“On behalf of the City of Stirling I congratulate Keith Rickman OAM and thank him for his lifetime of service to our community.”

A full list of the Australia Day 2023 Honours List can be found at www.gg.gov.au.