Local community members and groups have been honoured today at Randwick City Council’s 2022 Australia Day Community Service Awards presented by Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker.

The 2022 Award winners include individual, group, youth and a Mayor’s award recognising people who have made outstanding contributions to local sporting groups, residents and community groups.

“All of our Australia Day Community Service award winners have contributed to the Randwick City community in a way that draws people together and allows them to feel seen and valued,” said Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker. “After two years of pandemic-related lockdowns and challenges, these acts have done so much to ensure that our community, particularly those who are vulnerable, remains connected.

“We’re very fortunate to have such compassionate people in our community and I’m so pleased we’ve had the chance to recognise their efforts and honour them.”

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.