Congratulations to Kwinana's Citizens of the Year

Congratulations to Kwinana's Citizens of the Year
7 December 2020

The Kwinana Citizen of the Year for 2020 has been awarded to Lynn Coomer from Ngala Yorga Group, Celebrate Culture Kwinana and the Medina Resident’s Group.

 

Lynn was presented with her award at the 2020 Local Organisations Function held at Medina Hall on Friday, 4 December.

Each year, Local Governments across Western Australia present the Community Citizen of the Year Awards to recognise individuals and organisations making a notable contribution in their communities. 

“Lynn Coomer is well-known for her tireless support for the community,” said City of Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams.

“Lynn’s work helps connect new and old residents in the community while celebrating and acknowledging different cultures and supporting and connecting Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women.”

Mayor Adams went on to acknowledge what an honour it is to receive such a prestigious award.

“To be nominated in the Citizen of the Year Awards is an achievement in itself, and winners and nominees should be equally proud,” she said.

“We are fortunate to have so many outstanding citizens giving back to the Kwinana community, and this is our special way of acknowledging and celebrating their achievements”.

The other awards presented include the Volunteer of the Year Award, the Martin Waudby Leadership Award, the Active Citizenship (Group or Event) Award, the Senior Citizen of the Year Award and the Certificate of Achievement.

Winner Bios

Citizen of the Year

Lynn Coomer is committed to the Ngala Yorga Group, Celebrate Culture Kwinana, the Medina Residents Group and the Kwinana community.

Lynn’s work helps connect new and old residents of the community, celebrating and acknowledging different cultures and supporting and connecting aboriginal and non-aboriginal women.

Lynn has always been active around the community of Kwinana and is well-known for her work to support, champion and share knowledge of the Noongar people of South West Australia.

Citizen of the Year – Senior

Cindy Ballard works tirelessly in her volunteer roles within the Community, freely giving her time, talent, energy and knowledge to community committees, organisations and people.

Cindy provides leadership to the Ngalla Yorga Waangkan (Aboriginal Women's Group) as Chair in a voluntary capacity and devotes many hours to the group, taking them on outings and camps and supporting them in any way that she can.

Active Citizenship of the Year – Group or Event

Befriend Inc. is a group that has around 10 to 20 local ‘hosts’ or volunteers that run interest-based events for members of the community with activities such as lawn bowls, fish and chips nights, crochet and knitting to name a few.

Befriend believes the world is a much nicer place to be when we have strong and diverse social relationships with others.

The Befriend Team recognises that no one program, service or initiative is the answer to nurturing inclusive, connected communities.

From January through to the end of September this year, the Befriend team hosted over 340 Meetups.

Volunteer of the Year

Susan and Richard Baldwin have been volunteers with the EdConnect program, formally the School Volunteer Program, for over 16 years.

They have each been mentoring up to three students every year since their involvement started. They provide critical academic and emotional support that provides both a safety net and a springboard for young people who might otherwise struggle to realise their educational potential.

They not only support the individual students they work with, but are committed to the whole school, attending functions, events, being on the school board and generally bringing the community into the school environment.

They also volunteer with the Anglican Church in Kwinana, the Kwinana Lolly Run and the Leda Primary School Board.

Martin Waudby Leadership Award

Duane Fryer is someone who embraces the true spirit of Kwinana and gives tirelessly and without hesitation to the community and in his roles with the Kwinana United Soccer club and the Kwinana Little Athletics club.

Duane is also a long-time volunteer with the Kwinana South Volunteer Bushfire Brigade and five years ago was rewarded for his outstanding achievements when he was recognised as a life member - the youngest life member at the time.

Certificate of Achievement

Tanya Halliday supports and mentors those in need of extra support and advocacy on issues relating to education, mental health, accommodation and sport, both in a professional capacity as a Youth Engagement Officer with the City of Kwinana and on a personal level.

Tanya has established many wonderful relationships with our Aboriginal community and families which she holds in extremely high regard.

Tanya is also the founder of the Saints Netball Club and coordinator of Gnaala Karla Booja Mixed Netball Carnival, giving countless volunteer hours to the development of our young women in sport within Kwinana and Rockingham.

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