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2011 Winners
Nerryl Brown - Citizen of the Year
Bilgola resident Nerryl Brown was selected as Citizen of the Year for her tireless and selfless charity work. Working for Lifeline for 37 years, Nerryl has also organised many fundraising events for the Red Cross including a fundraising drive during the Asian tsunami. She has been described as someone who is always ready to offer a helping hand to anyone in need, even donating a kidney to her daughter. Nerryl was also a recent recipient of the Red Cross Service Award for her charity work.
Dorothy Sledge - Senior Citizen of the Year
With over 40 years under her belt as a volunteer in the Mona Vale Hospital kiosk, Dorothy is also a long-serving member of the hospital auxiliary, as well as organiser of social activities at her local church. A World War II widow, Dorothy is a regular volunteer and active worker in her community.
Sophie Symons - Young Citizen of the Year
An Avalon resident and recent graduate of Barrenjoey High, Sophie has promoted and fundraised on behalf of many worthy charities. She single-handedly coordinated one of the biggest charity events ever at the school, mobilising nearly 100 students for the Cancer Council’s ‘Shave for a Cure’. Sophie herself was shaved on the day, with the school raising over $10,000 for the charity.
Cooper Chapman - Sportsperson of the Year
North Narrabeen student Cooper Chapman was elected Sportsperson of the Year for his amazing achievements as a surfer. Still aged only 16, Cooper has already received a slew of awards that demonstrate his great talent in the surf. In 2010 he represented Australia in the Junior World Surfing titles in New Zealand where he received a team gold medal, as well as receiving the Under 16 National Surfing title in 2008. Sharing his skills and experience in the water, Cooper also recently volunteered at a Barton Lynch surf event by teaching surfing to people with a disability.
Pittwater Community Arts and 200-year Festival on Scotland Island - Dual Winners for Pittwater’s Community Event of the Year
Due to the high standard of entries two winners received an award in this category, namely Pittwater Community Arts for their annual arts exhibition and the residents of Scotland Island for their celebration of the Island’s bicentenary celebrations.
Pittwater Community Art’s (PCA) annual art exhibition involved 100 local artists with 560 paintings on show. PCA’s dedicated committee, headed by President Lorrie Morgan, arranged an excellent opening night and a two-day exhibition which attracted many visitors. Along with their annual exhibition, the committee is heavily involved in supporting other events throughout the year including Heritage Week, Earth Hour, Artfest, Theatre in the Park and the Student Art Awards.
Judges of the awards gave joint winner of the community event of the year a special mention to Emmie Collins and the Scotland Island Residents Association for helping coordinate the 200-year bicentenary festival on Scotland Island. The event known as “Looking Back, Thinking Forward’ saw a series of fun and historical activities held over a weekend period on the island.