Casey honours its special citizens

CASEY’S Citizens of the Year will be announced tomorrow, chosen from a plethora of remarkable nominees.
Three of Casey’s outstanding community members will receive top honours for Citizen, Senior Citizen and Young Citizen at the annual Casey Citizens of the Year Awards to be held on Australia Day.
There will also be awards for the Non-Resident and Community Event of the Year, while the 10 successful City of Casey Australia Day Study Tour recipients will also be recognised.
The Citizen of the Year nominees are:
Rod Charles, Narre Warren South, whose passion and hard work is reflected in the development of the Oakgrove Community Centre.
Glenda Dean, Berwick, whose work as a Scout leader has given young people valuable guidance, support and leadership skills.
Margaret Fairhurst, Doveton, who has devoted many hours to the community, and particularly to young people, through her involvement with scouting, local schools and community events.
Roger Hall, Narre Warren, a strong advocate for the promotion of educational opportunities for young people in Casey.
Sue Hiller, Endeavour Hills, who introduced volleyball to many Casey residents and has been a driving force behind local teams and helped set up clinics in Casey primary schools.
Pastor Julie Kelly, Narre Warren South, whose volunteer work focuses on supporting Casey’s young people, organising community events and raising funds.
Silvia Krause, Hampton Park, who has devoted time to others, from caring for children in her home to providing food and clothing to people in need.
Judy Owen, Narre Warren, who volunteers, is involved on a number of committees, and makes herself available to assist young people in trouble.
Cathy-Lea Howell, Narre Warren North, who, through her dancing school helps her students get the most out of themselves and reach their goals to the best of their ability.
Amanda Stapledon, Cranbourne North, who has raised awareness of disability issues in the City of Casey and developed programs for young people with a disability.
Dale Warren, Berwick, who has devoted his time to supporting, promoting and playing for the Berwick Miners Gridiron Club.
Young Citizen of the Year nominees are:
Nicholas Bell, Berwick, who cares deeply about building understanding between nations and about creating a more equal society.
Josh Janssen, Lysterfield South, who has committed time and skills for the good of the community in Casey and in East Timor.
Shruti Lad, Endeavour Hills, who is a great role model and teacher to younger people in Casey.
Nathan Monk, Endeavour Hills, who has devoted many hours each week to helping other people in the community.
Karyan Ng, Hallam, who actively participates in all of the sporting and cultural activities at Eumemmerring College and is an excellent role model for the younger students at the college.
Sonia Tresca, Berwick, who is an inspiration and role model for younger members of Spectrum Entertainment (young people’s drug and alcohol-free music events).
Hayden Woolridge, Hallam, who shows initiative and continually impresses staff and students with his enthusiasm and ability to get other students around him started on a project.
Senior Citizen of the Year nominees are:
Libby Bathols, Cranbourne, who has been a compassionate and caring member of the community, devoting hours each week to help many people through Cranbourne Community House and St Vincent de Paul.
Vic Charles Catt, Hallam, a tireless volunteer, involved in Scouting, the Berwick Anglican Church, local schools, sports clubs, committees and aged care.
Ted Clay, Tooradin, who is involved in activities and willing to provide support and knowledge to everyone and has been an outstanding member of the CFA for 50 years.
Tom Hartley, Endeavour Hills, who has been involved with scouting for over 50 years and has been an inspiration to many young people in Casey.
Edith Krause, Hampton Park, who has provided much needed foster care to more than 200 children.
Margaret Trickey, Narre Warren, who has volunteered at local opportunity shops and whose work with the Narre Warren Senior Citizens’ Centre has made it a happy place for older members of the community.
Non-Resident of the Year nominees are:
Brian Girling, Mulgrave, who has been the driving force behind the Sailability Program, which provides sailing opportunities for people with a disability.
Kellie Hammerstein, St Kilda, who is remarkable in her devotion to children with a disability and their families and has given many hours to individuals, and to organisations and groups that support people with a disability.
Rosemary Mynard, Kooweerup, who works tirelessly for the Cranbourne Shire Historical Society in the Tooradin community.
Casey Community Event of the Year Award nominees are:
Australia Day – A Multicultural Celebration; Australian Garden Opening; Gateways Festival; Multicultural Elders Festival – Fasting and Feasting; My Grandparents Are Fantastic; Narre Warren South Carols by Candlelight; Sea Safe Communicate; Tooradin Tractor Pull and Truck Show.
Australia Day Study Tour recipients are:
Jeff Douglass, Hillcrest Secondary College; Lucia Santangelo, Berwick Secondary College; Rhys Ford, Berwick Secondary College; Allison Van Beers, St Margaret’s School; Jayde Robertson, Narre Warren South P-12 College; Eliza Kelly, Narre Warren South P-12 College; Christie Dowell, Lyndhurst Secondary College; Timothy Gill, St Peter’s College; Jess Betteridge, Kambrya College; Emily Wilhelms, Doveton Secondary College.