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2012 Winners
The winners of the 2012 Pittwater Australia Day Awards were announced at Australia Day celebrations at Bert Payne Reserve, Newport Beach.
Citizen of the Year
Lorrie Morgan
Lorrie Morgan from Newport was selected as Citizen of the Year for her tireless work as an advocate for the arts in Pittwater. As President for Pittwater Community Arts, she coordinates numerous events, giving many artists in the area an opportunity to display and sell their works. Her key achievements include organising the annual Pittwater Community Arts showand the successful Pittwater Artists Trail. Her level of commitment and drive is second to none!
Senior Citizen of the Year
Betty Snelling
Betty Snelling from Warriewood received the Senior Citizen of the Year Award for her dedicated work at the Jacaranda Day Activity and Respite Centre. This centre provides respite to carers of the frail and elderly in the Pittwater area. Betty’s vision and hard work alongside her husband sees the centre assisting over 40 clients during the week, helped by up to 50 volunteers. Her passion to serve has seen a significant number of people benefit both physically and emotionally over many years.
Young Citizen of the Year
Amnon Holland
Pittwater’s Young Citizen of the Year is Amnon Holland, a Clareville resident. This young man is a former student of Pittwater High School and had the idea to encourage the school to purchase and use solar panels to conserve energy. With support from his father Bill Holland, the school community and corporate sponsors, Pittwater High was the first school in the world to go solar!
Sportsperson of the Year
Elly Willan
Whale Beach netballer Elly Willan was elected Sportsperson of the Year. Elly demonstrated her skill as an outstanding netballer by co-captaining her team to three consecutive wins at the State League Waratah Cup. Elly has been an active member of the Manly Warringah Netball Association throughout her netballing years, contributing wherever possible at coaching clinics for young players.
Community Event of the Year
North Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club "Outback meets the Beach"
The winner of this year’s Community Event of the Year is North Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club, whose members have been conducting a Reconciliation and Cultural Exchange Program known as ‘Outback meets the Beach’ since 2007. This is a two way initiative where Indigenous youth and accompanying Elders travel to North Palm Beach from Jawoyn Communities in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. In exchange surf club members make regular trips to the community. The exchange provides an opportunity for education, mentoring and sharing of different cultures, breaking down intolerance and ignorance and providing an environment where trust, respect are fostered.
Highly Commended
Pittwater’s International Women’s Breakfast - The Zonta Club of the Northern Beaches
The first highly commended event is Pittwater’s International Women’s Breakfast organised each year by the Zonta Club of the Northern Beaches. Pittwater’s International Women’s Day Breakfast is a celebration of economic, social, cultural and political achievements of women. It acknowledges women’s contribution to making Australia, and the world, a better place for everyone.
Highly Commended
Life Matters - Kathy Lee
Life Matters has helped transform the conversation around death and dying in Pittwater by engaging GPs, palliative care workers, volunteers and residents in seeing death as a natural part of life. The Life Matters event has proved to be so valuable that similar events are being held on the Central Coast, ACT and Victoria.
Australia Day Award
Joint Winner - Emile Jansen
The first recipient is Emile Jansen (of Jansen Design & Architecture). Emile has made numerous pro bono contributions to the Pittwater community by providing his professional services for free. His architectural services were recently auctioned at the Rotary Northern Beaches Spring Concert with donations providing support for children with severe heart problems at the Westmead Hospital. In addition Emile has offered his services free-of-charge to develop designs and plans for the extension and modernisation of the Palliative Care Centre at Mona Vale hospital. This project would have been delayed if not for Emile’s generous support.
Joint Winner - Brian Friend
During Brian’s time in the police force he was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery for a sea rescue off the northern beaches and commendations for rescue work during the 1994 bush fires. However it is Brian’s outstanding contribution on the sporting field which has won him this award. Brian has been the backbone of a number of Pittwater’s sporting clubs for several decades, including Warringah Touch and the Avalon Bulldogs Rugby League Club. Brian continues to coach and referee young players, including each year’s under-6 team at the Avalon Bulldogs. He is also actively involved in fund raising for the charity NSW Police Legacy and cancer research.
Updated: 26 January 2012