Community Service Awards

Recognising outstanding community members

Community Service Awards

Eight individuals and community groups from across Randwick City were recognised today as part of Randwick City Council’s prestigious Community Service Awards.

The recipients include people who have volunteered their lives in fields such as netball, Scouts and the environment; as well as community groups who have connected people at risk of social isolation and provided emotional support for mothers.

Randwick Mayor Philipa Veitch commended all the award recipients.

“Thank you to all of you for being a part of and for helping to create such a rich, diverse, and beautiful community. These outstanding community members and groups have dedicated countless hours and tireless energy to improving the lives of the people around them and Randwick City. Some of them have overcome great challenges and all have shown great leadership, hard work, and compassion to give back and make our community a better place,”  Mayor Veitch said.

2024 Community Service Award winners

Jenny Morrissey
Australia Day Community Service Award

For more than 40 years Jenny has contributed to the wider netball community as a volunteer and developed programs for male participation, pathways for First Nations players and skills programs for young players.

Mum for Mum
Australia Day Community Service Group Award

This program is run by 220 trained volunteers who work directly with local mothers providing in-home emotional support during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first year of the baby's life. The group directly impacts and improves the lives of vulnerable and at-risk community members.

Noah Hockey
Australia Day Community Service Youth Award

Noah stepped in as a leader following the retirement of a Cub leader and the sad passing of another leader at the 1st Little Bay Scout Group. Under Noah’s guidance, he took the children on a day camp, rock climbing and inspired and motivated a passion for the outdoors and helping the local community.

Aaron Lowman
Australia Day Community Achievement Award for a Person with a Disability

Aaron is a sportsman and dedicated volunteer working with six organisations including St Canice’s Kitchen which supports homeless and other vulnerable people. He raises money for charities including Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Legacy, is a passionate bush educator and has won gold, silver and bronze in the Special Olympics.

Lynda Newnam
Mayor’s Award

For more than 20 years Lynda has volunteered for the Randwick community and beyond fighting for the environment, citizens’ rights and social justice. She has been involved in Precincts, Coastcare and Citizen Science Partnership. Lynda is committed to strong and ongoing advocacy around environmental pollution and contamination affecting Botany Bay from industry and developments. Her valuable contribution supports the protection, maintenance, and restoration of fragile ecosystems for us and future generations.

Special commendation awards were also presented to Kensington Park Local Residents Seniors GroupNehal Nafcy for his work building connections at UNSW and Tsz Yung Chu, JP (Kevin) for his volunteer JP work at Lionel Bowen Library and the Junction Neighbourhood Centre.

2024 Community Service Award winners

More information

For further information about these awards please contact the Community Development Team on 1300 722 542 or email council@randwick.nsw.gov.au

2023 Community Service Award winners

Australia Day Community Service Award

John Wright served as the convenor of the South Maroubra Tenant Action Group for several years.  Although this group no longer meets, John continues to inform and support residents with maintenance and housing issues in their DCJ Housing properties. He is viewed by his peers, neighbours, and community members as a reliable, helpful source of information. John played an integral role in connecting residents with support services such as 'My Aged Care" and supported a number of residents during the pandemic by collecting food from The Hub at Lexo and delivering it to them. John’s tireless work has made a meaningful difference to the lives of many local residents.

Australia Day Community Service Group Award

The Permabees are active members of the Randwick City community who contribute to the ongoing viability of Randwick Council's Sustainability Hub, which attracts 200,000 visitors each year. The Permabees' participation enables the Hub to continue as a centre of environmental regeneration and education, and as a socially inclusive space for all community members to belong, participate and thrive. The group is made up of a cross section of our community, with ages ranging from preschool to retirees as well as varying cultures, backgrounds and identities. Through personal generosity, Permabees have created a strong sense of community and connection to each other and to Randwick City, freely sharing their depth of experience and knowledge, which encourages others to protect the natural environment every day.

Australia Day Community Service Youth Award

Keira O'Sullivan is an active and valuable member of our community. Having once been on the receiving end of community services due to adversity and socio-economic circumstances, Keira now gives her time generously to volunteer for a number of charitable works, community volunteer services and community events. She contributes to the SHACK Youth Services tutoring program as a tutee who has a passion for learning. Keira has also been a valuable role model to other young people as a Peer Support Leader, Australian Air Force Leading Cadet, and SHACK Switch Leader. Demonstrating her perseverance in achieving incredible outcomes despite hardship, Keira is a young leader in her community and her continuous desire to strive for excellence, take on new challenges and to give back to others has inspired many of her peers to actively participate in charitable works and community services in Randwick City.

Australia Day Community Achievement Award for People with Disabilities

Marie Tesoriero, a Coogee local, was born with both intellectual and physical disabilities, including blindness in one eye, scoliosis, and a heart condition. Her innovation to create products to raise money for others, her versatility to volunteer across many different organisations and her resilience and perseverance through major medical operations and health challenges, as well as her bravery and initiative to live independently is admirable. Marie dedicates her time volunteering for many organisations including Community Services Volunteer at Holdsworth and Home Cuisine (Meals on Wheels). Marie also contributes time and energy to the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation. For example, she has set up her own business making arts and crafts, with all profits donated to the Foundation. Marie is a wonderful and positive role model to all people in the community.

Mayor's Award

Tadhg Kennelly, Maroubra local and ex Sydney Swan, and David Eccles, formed a men's group called ‘WhenNo One's Watching', which focuses on using social connection and exercise to combat mental health issues. The group helps to create a place where men feel comfortable enough to take their armour off and be their authentic selves. WNOW gives men the opportunity to tackle challenges together and focus on improving their mental, physical and emotional health. The group is free to join and has more than 120 men in the group. The group meets weekly at 6am on Wednesdays at Maroubra beach where they come together, take part in a light workout and spend some time having a chat over a morning coffee.

Special Commendation Australia Day Community Service

Jack Meister is a founding member of the Sydney Jewish Museum. Along with a group of Holocaust survivors, Jack helped to create a space to share their stories and educate future generations. Now in his 90s, Jack has devoted more than 6000 hours volunteering at the museum over the last 30 years. By sharing his story of living through the Holocaust as a survivor he has affected thousands of visitors, transforming his painful memories into unforgettable lessons for all.

2023 Community Award winners

2022 Community Service Award winners

Australia Day Community Service Award
Dr Chris Godfrey opened the veterinary practice at Lexington Place, South Maroubra in 2018, which is situated in the public housing estate. Dr Chris has been a vet for more than 40 years and genuinely cares for the residents’ pets. The community has come to rely on Dr Chris’ expertise and compassion for the wellbeing of their pets and he is always there to listen to their concerns especially in times of hardship.

Australia Day Community Service Group Award
ProjectKindness supports vulnerable people to find their feet and build better lives, regardless of their current circumstances and strives to support and spend time with disadvantaged residents. The group values strong community connections as they are the glue that holds everything together. Work undertaken in the Randwick area contributes towards improving the day-to-day life of vulnerable Randwick residents. ProjectKindness regularly receives feedback from residents about the incredibly positive help they provide.

Australia Day Community Service Youth Award
Alice Lee has raised money and donated pocket money to support students at a remote location school in China, an Indigenous Scholarship Program at St Catherine’s school and the Salvation Army. Alice also raised funds to provide 4000 surgical masks to help people in her community. As a player and volunteer for Table Tennis UNSW, Alice works to improve players’ knowledge and skills and to create an inclusive, safe, fair and enjoyable environment for all players.

Mayor’s Award
Tasman Cassim established the Superhero Walk in 2015 and since then has walked all over Australia dressed as different superheroes raising more than $62,000 for worthy causes, having walked 548km. Tasman did 24 laps of Heffron Park in Maroubra, dressed as 24 different superheroes, in 24 hours and raised over $24,000. The funds raised contributed to a new playground, aptly named The Superhero Playground at Maroubra Bay Public School.

Community Service Awards 2022

2021 Community Service Award winners

Professor Mark Ferson (Mayor's Award)
His team of unsung heroes have been at the forefront of controlling cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. His team at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District of Epidemiologists, Covid tracers and hardworking Covid contact staff are the reason NSW has been at the forefront of controlling this virus. This team are true professionals that have worked tirelessly to keep us safe.

Mark Ferson

Mark Halcro (Individual Award)
Mark Halcro was holidaying at Lake Conjola in December 2019 with many from the Randwick Community. As the fires approached it was too late for many to leave the area so they were forced onto the beach to avoid the flames. Mark showed enormous bravery and selflessness by saving local community members through the complete darkness and burning embers.

Mark Halcro

Randwick Offshore Rescue Boat Service (Group Award)
Randwick Surf Rescue 30  Operating from its base at Malabar since 1969, the Service is dedicated to the prevention of aquatic related injury and drowning along the spectacular but rugged Randwick coastline. The Service is a charitable organisation that delivers lifesaving search and rescue, lifesaving services, water safety education and initiatives through training programs.

Randwick Offshore Boat Rescue

Brenna Harding (Youth Award)
Brenna has worked tirelessly for her local community since childhood. She began advocating for same-sex parented families after appearing in an episode of playschool. At 12 years old she spoke at the same-sex adoption enquiry at NSW Parliament House. Throughout high school she was a core team member of youth-led anti-homophobia organisation Wear it Purple, for which she now sits on the board. In 2015 she founded Moonlight Feminists, whose purpose was to empower young women to be change makers in their environments and provide peer support and solidarity to young women who had experienced sexual assault.

Brenna Harding

2020 Community Service Award winners

Mathew Harper (Mayor’s award)
Mathew has been a highly valued member of Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club for 15 years. He currently holds the positions of Patrol and Club Captain, Captain of Surf Rescue 30 and is an integral part of training and assessment, development camps. He was named NSW Surf Lifesaver of the Year in 2019. Earlier this year he volunteered to go to the fire-ravaged south coast as part of the SLSNSW emergency response team to assist with evacuations.

Patricia Brander (Individual award)
Patricia has been a part of the Chifley Public School community for over 40 years. Known affectionately as ‘Nanna’, she volunteers her time twice a week to assist with school reading with students. Using humour, kindness and no-nonsense approach, Patricia or ‘Nanna' has played a significant role in encouraging many generations of students to read. Patricia has made a lasting impression with her students and has created connections through active listening; encouragement and instilling self-belief.

Tony Vecellio (Individual award)
Tony has run the little athletics program at Hensley Athletics Field since 1968 producing many champions and creating an inclusive atmosphere bringing families together. All members are made to feel welcomed and treated with respect. Tony advocates for living a healthy and active lifestyle, and further encouraging all forms of achievement and accomplishments.

Marcos Molina (Individual award)
Marcos has dedicated his time to beach volleyball and has helped train and develop both children and adults over the past 25 years. He has committed himself to training and teaching skills by primarily volunteering his time on weekends and after school throughout the week. Greeted by a smile as always, Marcos is continually stopped along the Coogee promenade by parents who have had their children trained by him or adults who have been trained by Marcos themselves.

Ted Hayes & Betty Delatorre (Joint individual award)
Ted and Betty have been an integral part of the Friends of the La Perouse Museum for the past six years. They are always willing to provide their time to help committee members and the broader communities of Randwick.

Marissa Ely (Individual award)
Marissa Ely is a leading figure in the Maroubra community. Her Maroubra Community Facebook page has over 12,000 members who Marissa keeps up to date with all things happening such as: sport events, road changes, local politician updates, charity events and much more. Described by her colleagues and peers as inspirational and remarkable, Marissa excels in business, community spirit and promoting Autism awareness.

Coogee Meditation Group (Group award)
Established in 2012 the Coogee Meditation group has been offering drop in guided meditation classes twice weekly by donation. The Coogee meditation group has been able to connect a diverse range of residents amongst the Coogee and Randwick areas. Participants include parents, healthcare professionals, students, small business owners, retiree's and those who are new to the area as well as people recovering from illness.

David Lee (Youth award)
David is a volunteer and team member of the UNSW Table Tennis Club since 2017. He has demonstrated an advanced understanding of table tennis and a genuine drive to create an inclusive, safe, fair and enjoyable environment for all players. David’s highlights include umpiring and other volunteering roles at the Club, whilst fitting in study with his high school commitments.

2020 Community Service Award winners

Last Updated: 30 January 2024
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