Some of the quiet achievers and local heroes of Macarthur were acknowledged this morning at Australia Day celebrations across the region.
In Camden and Campbelltown the winners of the 2022 Australia Day awards were made online by the mayors, while Wollondilly held a safe outdoor ceremony in the Picton botanical gardens, which was also live streamed.
Radio man John Stanley, the Shire’s Australia Day ambassador delivered a very good speech in which he described the local heroes honoured as part of the essence of what it is to be an Australian.
“These people do incredible deeds in the local community, but they don’t do them so they can be honoured; they just do, and that’s what Australia is all about,’’ Mr Stanley said.
In Campbelltown, new mayor George Greiss – wearing the chains of office, pictured above – performed his first official duty in front of a camera as he announced local winners.
“This past year has been among the most challenging in our shared history but it’s amazing to see how many residents and community organisations have stepped up in different ways to support the wider community,” he said.
“I know the selection committee had a difficult time choosing a winner for these awards.
“We are so lucky in Campbelltown to have so many community minded people,’’ he said.
Cr Greiss announced Lesley Robson, the tireless volunteer in the domestic violence area, as the 2022 Campbelltown citizen of the year.
The domestic violence advocate and support worker was among five citizens and a local community organisation recognised across the six categories.
Disability advocate Renee Allara was named the disability and inclusion award winner in recognition of her work with Australian Deaf Elders, supporting those in need of interpreting services who were ineligible for NDIS funding.
Community group initiative of the year was awarded to Lomandra Community Pantry in recognition of their work in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, distributing food hampers and pantry essentials to other community services and helping more than 300 local families in need.
Macarthur Orioles baseball player Mitchell Austin was awarded sportsperson of the year in recognition of his success, earning a professional contract in the US and being signed to the Sydney Blue Sox prior to 2021/2022 season being cancelled as well as his work locally coaching up and coming baseball stars.
Bin Chicken founder Alexis Bowen was named environmental citizen of the year for her work encouraging others to think about their environmental impact and reducing litter through her business and using social media. She helps to keep the city looking pristine by recycling bottles and cans herself and putting the money back into the community.
In Camden, Mayor Theresa Fedeli named Brooke Murray as their 2022 Australia Day citizen of the year.
Big Yellow Umbrella and Macarthur Centre for Sustainable Living shared the community group award.
Bob Guerney won the arts and culture category, while Monique Pirrone took out the sports category and Alana Bailey was named young citizen of the year.
Marjo Hallowell, pictured at right with Mayor Matt Gould and John Stanley, was named Wollondilly Shire citizen of the year, Wendy Evans took out the disability and inclusion award, while Women in Business network group won the community group honour.
Tia Veech was named local hero for 2022, Thomas Noakes won the sport award and Mark Davis named achiever of the year.
Dane Clark was young citizen of the year.
The Wollondilly celebrations also included a citizenship ceremony. Local MP and government minister Angus Taylor read out a message to the newest Australians from the Immigration minister, congratulating them.
