Australia Day Community Citizen of the Year Awards

2023 winners

• Winner: Claire Willians

  Claire Willians was recognised as the Community Citizen of the Year. Claire has been an active member of our community for a number of years, and her work to help address gaps in vital services and support networks has been nothing short of outstanding. Before Claire became a Baldivis local, she instigated the launch of the Kwinana Volunteer Resource Centre and was the inaugural coordinator of the Centre, which is still open to this day. After moving to the City of Rockingham, Claire became involved in the Rivergums Residents Association, becoming Vice President of the association in its first year. As a qualified Peer Support Worker with a lived experience of issues relating to mental health, Claire has passionately supported people with mental health issues through the establishment of the ‘Couch Time’ service. Couch Time was designed as a space where people experiencing mental health issues could come together in a safe environment to connect and re-engage with society.  Over the years Couch Time evolved and was reinvented in 2021 as ‘Circle of Friends’ which now has three groups that meet weekly at cafes in Rockingham, Baldivis and Kwinana.

  

• Winner: Lily Tyler

  Lily Tyler received the Young Community Citizen of the Year (under 25 years of age) award for being an active member of our community. Lily currently volunteers a significant amount of time to the Rockingham Youth Centre and has been a cornerstone of the positive influence at the RYC as a member of the Youth Reference Group. Lily has volunteered extensively at several City events, and was a lynchpin in the working group that conceptualised, designed and delivered the Youth Centre’s big Halloween event. Lily is also held in very high regard at Rockingham Senior High School, having held an important role as student leader and also being selected as a key member of the Student Wellbeing Action Team.     

   

  Winner: Luke Tammen

  Luke Tammen received the Young Community Citizen of the Year (under 25 years of age) award for being an active member of our community, representing Baldivis Leos. Luke is involved in a range of community initiatives including the Baldivis Leo’s Book Nook and the Coin Line for Kids Cancer at local markets and events. Luke's fundraising work for the Leos has been outstanding on several fronts, and the manner in which Luke conducts himself has been a key part of why he was named WA Leo of the Year. Luke was also named Scout of the Year for WA, which shows just how well regarded Luke is in our community on a variety of fronts.

  

• Winner: Laurie Smith OAM

  The Senior Community Citizen of the Year (over 65 years of age) was won by Laurie Smith OAM. Laurie, who I must acknowledge is a Freeman of our great City, has been a key figure in our community for many years. Laurie served as Mayor of the City of Rockingham, has been a long time member of the Rotary Club of Palm Beach, chaired the Performing Arts and Cultural Convention Group, and is at the forefront of the campaign to organise a re-enactment of the historic Catalpa rescue. Laurie unrelenting commitment to helping our community in so many roles over the years is something to be highly commended.  

  

• Winner: Team Fred

  The Active Citizenship (Group or Event) of the year was won by Team Fred. Team Fred is a much loved local not-for-profit dedicated to helping families of children with serious illnesses. Run by a small group of volunteers, Team Fred dedicates extensive time and effort to supporting families going through what are often gut-wrenching circumstances. Team Fred hold a number of fundraisers each year, and all of the proceeds go directly to support the families that are dealing with the illness of a loved one. When a family member is diagnosed with a serious illness, the emotional and financial strain on an entire family can be significant. Team Fred helps to ease this stress by supporting families, giving them the ability to concentrate their focus on assisting those who need it most. To all of our Team Fred members (Don and Linda Burnett– Cheryl, Carl, Chris, Dawn, Caroline and Dave), the City is proud to acknowledge your tremendous efforts in helping families across the community.