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2009 Winners
2009 Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award Winners
Citizen of the Year - Harry McErlean
Pittwater’s Citizen of the Year is former principal of Newport Primary School, Harry McErlean. Harry has been part of the local educational landscape for nearly 20 years. During his time as principal the school increased its enrolment from around 450 to nearly 800 to become one of Pittwater’s largest and most reputable primary schools. He was instrumental in the school winning several awards, including a NSW achievement award for promoting cultural diversity and recognition as a school of excellence in the performing arts. Mr McErlean pioneered a sailing program for primary school students against the odds, which was used as a model for other local primary schools. He was also recognised for fostering a spirit of tolerance for those from another culture, introducing an exchange program for his students with those from Punchbowl Primary 15 years ago which continues today.
Young Citizen of the Year - Cianne Scanlan (Mona Vale)
Twenty year old Cianne Scanlan from Mona Vale is Pittwater’s Young Citizen of the Year. Cianne was chosen as an outstanding example to her peers, giving up many hours of her time to volunteer for the benefit of her local community. In particular she has dedicated herself to educating young people on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. She has run events at her local high school to raise awareness, as well as being a volunteer member of several committees on drug and alcohol abuse. She was also invited to be part of NSW Health’s drug education initiative for young people across the state.
Sportsperson of the Year - Nathan Wilmot (Bilgola)
Bilgola resident Nathan Wilmot has been recognised as Pittwater’s Sportsperson of the Year. Nathan has competed in both the Athens and Beijing Olympics in sailing, winning a gold medal in Beijing. He has also won five world sailing championships. Nathan began his sailing career as a local junior and has been sailing on Pittwater since the age of six. Nathan also acted as Australia Day Ambassador during the day’s celebrations.
Community Event of the Year - Earth Hour at Avalon
Pittwater’s Community Event of the Year was awarded to Earth Hour at Avalon, organised by Laura Dean. The event is held at Avalon Beach each year, bringing together music and performances to mark this important worldwide environmental event. The event is coordinated by local resident Laura Dean, who prides herself on just being an ordinary person with a passion for making a difference on the climate change issue.
Australia Day Award - Graham Foran
Graham Foran was the recipient of an Australia Day Award for his contribution to the local volunteer surf lifesaving movement. He pioneered the junior cadet movement aimed at retaining teenage lifesavers between the ages of 14 and 16 at Bilgola Surf Club, which was then adopted by surf clubs across the northern beaches. He has also been involved in coaching young members of the Avalon Junior Rugby League and the Pittwater Baseball Club.