14 local heroes were honoured at Randwick City Council’s Australia Day Community Service Awards presented 26 January 2017. The winners included a homeless youth caretaker, Prince of Wales Hospital volunteer and a Maroubra community advocate.

The winners of the Australia Day Community Service Awards are:

AUSTRALIA DAY YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS

Bobby Nader

Bobby is the driving force behind the ‘Teens 4 Todds’ Project, which raises money for local toddlers under the care of the Sydney Children’s Hospital, having raised over $35,000.

Lidia Ivancic

Lidia’s contribution as a volunteer is far-reaching and diverse. She helps younger students in their transition from primary to secondary school, and coaches the Under Six team of her local football club. Lidia has also single-handedly organised a fundraising event night for Father Chris Riley’s Youth off the Streets.

AUSTRALIA DAY COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS

Laurie Matthews

In 1977, Laurie founded the Caretakers Cottage Youth Refuge for homeless teens. Today, Caretakers Cottage is the only crisis accommodation service for homeless teens in the Eastern Suburbs. Throughout his career, Laurie has assisted hundreds of local homeless young people, and worked tirelessly to have them reconnected with their families or taught to live independently.

Shane Flint

Shane is the current President of Kooloora Community Centre and has worked tirelessly as a volunteer for many years. Many local residents have benefited from Shane’s contributions because he gives so generously of his time and energy.

Reverend Job

Reverend Job of St Judes Church in Randwick has made an outstanding contribution to the local community through charity work, and in maintaining the church’s 155-year-old history. He is a positive role model to his parishioners, and is a credit to the people who live and work in Randwick City.

Jean Goudie

Jean is an amazing 87-year-old who volunteers at the Prince of Wales Hospital coffee shop, where she helps out five days a week. Nothing is ever too much trouble for Jean. She is truly a remarkable and unsung Australian hero to our local community.

Billee King

For the last 18 years, Billee helped organised a program that provide beneficial exercise classes to frail and elderly people. Billee also volunteered her services at the Prince Henry Hospital Trained Nurses Association in Little Bay.

Denise Wasley

Denise leads a team of volunteers from Kingsford legal Centre to visit Kooloora Community Centre on a weekly basis, offering free, legal advice to local residents. She also volunteers her time as the Centre’s Treasurer and board member. Denise’s commitment to improving the lives of her local community is greatly appreciated.

Jenny Kelly

Jenny has been a volunteer at Kooloora Community Centre for several years. She is an important member of the “Veged Out Team’ which delivers fresh food to the Kooloora community every fortnight. Jenny works as a nurse by day, and is a busy parent and grandparent.

Bronte Doyle

Bronte is a tertiary student and a regular volunteer at Kooloora Community Centre. Despite her busy study commitments, she always puts in extra time at the Centre. She does this work with kindness and a genuine heart.

Rohan MacDonald

Rohan volunteers as a board member at Kooloora Community Centre and is currently the Vice-President. He started volunteering at the centre in 2005. He coordinates tenant meetings, organises and delivers flyers to the tenants and facilitates important communications between Housing NSW and local social housing tenants.

Sophie Smith

Sophie Smith and her husband Ash started the charity, ‘Running for Premature Babies’ after losing premature triplets in 2006. Sophie and her charity have raised over $2 million for the Royal Hospital for Women. Sophie is a stalwart of the local community and is loved by many for her courage, perseverance and passion for the cause.

The Ladies Committee for the Children’s Cancer Institute

The Ladies Committee, established in Maroubra in 1977, is the longest-serving and largest volunteer group for the Children’s Cancer Institute. The Ladies Committee raises funds for research in improving the outcomes and saving the lives of children suffering from cancer. To date, the Ladies Committee have raised $1,000,000 for cancer patients and research.

Maggi Brown

For 35 years, Maggi has been supporting disadvantaged people and children with disabilities. In 2016, Maggi raised $110,000 for Wingap as well as having previously raised in excess of $100,000 for many other charities.

Rozita Leoni

Rozita is a community advocate, who has contributed to making Lexington Place a safer area by rallying with other local community groups. As founder of a number of community action groups, her dedication in assisting and helping the disadvantaged is ongoing.

SIMEON PEARCE AWARD RECIPIENTS

Awarded to Councillors who have served at least three terms or 12 years as Randwick City Councillors

Cr Anthony Andrews

Cr Scott Nash

Cr Robert Belleli