Local heroes honoured at 2016 Randwick City Australia Day celebrations

Published Date
26/01/2016
News Topic
Exhibitions, Awards & Competitions

A member of the Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club, a volunteer educator with Parkinson’s NSW and a resident who played a pivotal role in organising the Anzac Day Centenary Dawn Service in 2015 were among the local heroes honoured at Randwick City Council’s Australia Day Community Service Awards presented today 26 January 2016.

Randwick Mayor Councillor Noel D’Souza congratulated each recipient on their outstanding achievements.

“The awards recognise the special efforts of our local heroes who go above and beyond to help others and build a sense of community,” Mayor D’Souza said.  

“This year’s winners represent a broad spectrum of our society and are all extremely deserving of their accolades. Congratulations to each of them; we are lucky to have such fine citizens in Randwick City.”

Mayor D’Souza also welcomed 34 new Australian citizens who took the Australian Pledge at a special Australia Day Citizenship ceremony at the Prince Henry Centre in Little Bay.

The winners of the Australia Day Community Service Awards are:

Sylvia Baynes

Sylvia has spent 43 years volunteering at the Prince Henry and Prince of Wales Hospitals. In fact, she is the longest serving volunteer at the Prince of Wales Hospital. Sylvia spends two days a week at the hospital and volunteers at two nursing homes twice a week.

David Cohen

David is an instrumental member of several community organisations and works tirelessly to keep them active and functional. He volunteers his time with seven local organisations, including the Coogee/Randwick/Clovelly RSL Sub-Branch, the Eastern Metropolitan District Council Sub-Branches and RSL State Council. David played a pivotal role in organising the Anzac Day Centenary Dawn Service in 2015.

Carlos Da Rocha

Carlos is a known as a kind and helpful community member. He has shown the utmost dedication to improving the neighbourhood of Matraville and surrounding areas. He dedicates every moment he has to making the area safer for residents, working in close collaboration with local precinct groups, police and community members.

James Finn

James has looked after the welfare of returned servicemen and women at the Matraville RSL Sub-Branch since 1995, and served as President of the club since 2004. He actively assists members of the local community with hospital and home visits, funeral attendances and pension application forms.

Leon Goodman

Leon has provided exceptional community service since 1998 and is the current President of the Little Bay Coast Centre for Seniors, which provides low cost fitness and health promotion classes to people over the age of 55. Leon is known as a patient, tolerant, imaginative person with a positive outlook.

Fabian Heaton

Fabian has been instrumental in raising money for the Prince of Wales Hospital. He works tirelessly in getting teams together for the Foundation’s Heartbreakers City to Surf team. Fabian is also Head of the Foundation’s Heartbreakers trivia night and has helped raise more than $150,000 for the Prince of Wales Hospital.

Dean Kelly                             

Dean dedicates his time to passing down inter-generational knowledge to younger people in Aboriginal communities. He has shown many young people that it is important to be proud of cultural identity, heritage and education. Dean continues to share his knowledge and pass on these values at Cultural Camps, where groups of disadvantaged local youths are taken to re-connect with Country.

John Poleson                       

John is the longest serving volunteer at Starlight Children's Foundation at Randwick, having dedicated 16 years of his life to the organisation. John is heavily involved in the Starlight Express Room at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, which provides a medical-free haven for sick kids and their families seeking a break from procedures. He is fondly known as ‘Magic John’ because he always brings new magic tricks to help sick kids forget their troubles.

Lynette Smith            

Lynette has devoted the past 15 years of her life as a volunteer educator with Parkinson’s NSW, helping sufferers and their families cope with the debilitating disease. Lyn is the driving force behind the Prince Henry Nursing and Medical Museum at Little Bay, having served as the honorary secretary of the Prince Henry Hospital Trained Nurses Association for over 15 years.

Karl Solomonson

Karl has been a member of the Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club since 1964 and a member of the Randwick District Offshore Rescue Boat since 1982. His efforts have earned him the President’s Medallion for the Sydney Branch of Surf Life Saving. Despite having a full time job and family commitments, Karl is on call 365 days a year, day and night, to respond to emergencies and carry out rescue missions in the Offshore Rescue Boat.

Julie Spies                            

For over 20 years, Julie has worked to improve the lives of residents living in the South Ward of Randwick City. Julie was instrumental in creating the Kooloora Community Centre which provides an essential resource to the community. This nomination is in recognition of her contribution to the Kooloora Community Centre.

Paul Vallis

Since 2000, Paul has been actively involved in improving the profile of the Matraville RSL Sub-Branch Club. As Chairman of the Club Board, he has helped diversify the Club’s income and come up with innovative ideas such as offering Meals on Wheels to operate from the club car park for free. Paul is well known for his inspirational leadership and community spirit.

Cameron Callaghan was awarded the Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year Award. Cameron has been an outstanding member of the Coogee Surf Live Saving Club since 2002. As the Junior Captain, Cameron has led and significantly boosted the numbers of youth membership in the Club. At 19 years of age, Cameron is now a Vice Captain on Patrol and also holds the highly valued and important position of Assist Chief Instructor. Cameron sets a great example for other young people in the club. 

In addition to the Community Service Awards, Marcia Ella-Duncan OAM was recognised with a Mayor’s Award for her ongoing efforts for protection of Country, culture and spirit. Aunty Marcia is well known for her commitment to social justice by continuing to work with young Aboriginal people in a voluntary capacity alongside her extensive community and professional commitments.

Last Updated: 1 March 2022
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