(The 2022 Winners Darebin Community Awards)
Presented by FUSE Darebin
Now in its fifth year, the Darebin Community Awards are the City of Darebin's highest accolade, celebrating our inspirational local heroes who dedicate their time and energy to making our city a great place to live, work, play and volunteer.
This night is to acknowledge the amazing community work that has been done to make a difference in the City Darebin. Held at the Narrandjeri Stadium the community was able to come together and celebrate the Award Nominees and Winners.
It was a great night with almost full capacity at the Narrandjeri Stadium a big thank you to the Darebin City Council team for putting on a great event.
The night started with a performance by Halo Vocal Ensemble a diverse line-up of artists from different communities across Melbourne and Brisbane to perform collaboratively and simultaneously to sing a mix of old and new songs taking you on a nostalgic musical journey.
The MC for the night was Uncle Alan Brown a proud Gunditjmara man and as he recalls being a Preston Boy shared his fond memories growing up and still living in the City of Darebin has spent many years working and continuing to promote healthy living through the Aboriginal Health services in Victoria.
Darebin City Mayor Cr. Julie Williams followed by mentioning the community helped name Narrandjeri Stadium, choosing the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung word for ‘women leader’ This name recognises and reflects Traditional Owners’ history and culture in the area and is also a great pointer to the stadium’s role in raising up women’s and girls’ participation in sport in our community.
Mayor Cr. Julie Williams thanking her peers on the Darebin Community Awards Selection Panel. Our Selection Committee reflect the diversity and strength of Darebin, all independent residents.
It was an extremely challenging task of reviewing and selecting winners from the many wonderful nominations that were submitted.
The Selection Panel
• Uncle Owen Butler • Coen Brown • Abey George • Dr Sam Ginsberg OAM • Hahn Huynh-Pitts • Kiran Gurung • Chris Lombardo • Fardowsa Yusuf • Claire Sadler • Martin Nguyen And Hiruni Perini- Byrne
The panel considered each nomination against pre-determined criteria, including civic-mindedness, contributions to cultural diversity, role modelling community values, and upholding the highest standards of ethical behaviours and integrity. There were also specific criteria for each award category.
Nine ‘local heroes’ were awarded in these categories:
Citizen of the Year Young Citizen of the Year Community Group of the Year Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Leader of the Year Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Emerging Young Community Leader of the Year Sustainability Award Lifetime Achievement Award CALD Elder Community Leader of the Year CALD Emerging Community Leader of the Year
Judging criteria for community awards. Nominations for each award are judged by the Darebin Community Awards Committee.
Judging is based on the following overall criteria: Desire for prosperity with a “share for all” attitude
• Contribution to the cultural diversity of the community
• Community values and support systems Equality and equity
• Demonstrates and exemplifies the highest standards in ethical behaviours and integrity
• Concern for sustainability and the environment.
Additional category judging criteria:
Citizen of the Year, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Leader, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Community Leader of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.
Demonstrated commitment to the betterment of the community. Undertakes activities that have short- and long-term benefits for others, Is celebrated as a positive role model Demonstrates leadership and courage, Undertakes activities that promote the welfare and wellbeing of the community, Contributions made by nominee have either been done on a voluntary basis or exceed the normal requirements of the person’s paid work.
Young Citizen of the Year, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Emerging Young Leader of the Year and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Emerging Young Leader of the Year
Participates in the community, Active in youth issues, Is caring, compassionate and sharing, Demonstrates leadership and courage. Positive role model to peers, Accepts responsibility for self and others, Shows outstanding achievement in either academic, sporting, cultural, environment or civic life.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Elder Community Leader of the Year Demonstrated commitment to working closely and in partnership with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities and organisations, Undertakes activities that address the emerging needs and priorities of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities.
Community Group of the Year
Sustained achievements of the group with measurable benefit to the broader community, Service to the community, Significant volunteer involvement, Target community of the group nominated. Achievements of the group reflect the values of Darebin Community Awards as set out above.
Sustainability Award
A sustainability champion awarded to either a group or an individual. Delivering a project/program/activity which delivers genuine and measurable action in direct response to climate emergency. Responding to an environmental issue relevant to Darebin, Actively engages the local community.
It was a great night with lots of amazing stories from the community many talking about their struggle and what it’s like to be able to express themselves through creativity, language, storytelling, helping those in need, sports, mental health and being a voice to raise awareness.
We are very proud to see those community members be recognised for the hard work and determination and fight and resilience to continue to help build a great community through the City of Darebin.
Congratulations to the nominees and the Winners in their chosen category.
List of Winners 2022:
Joint Citizen of the Year: Nola Radiotis and Lynette Mackenzie
Young Citizen of the Year: Rosie Thayer
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Emerging Young Community Leader of the Year: Zion Akarana
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Leader of the Year: Nikita Rotumah
Special Commendation in the category of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Leader of the Year: Aunties Aunty Rieo Ellis and Aunty Cecily Atkinson
Community Group of the Year: Victorian Paradance Dance & Roll
Special Commendation in Community Group of the Year category awarded The Rezzadent
Special Commendation in Community Group of the Year category awarded 3KND Kool N Deadly
Sustainability Award Community Group: Span Community House Inc
Sustainability Award Individual Lynette Mackenzie
Special Commendation Sustainability Award Individual awarded to Charles Sandford
Lifetime Achievement Award Carolyn Lunt
CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) Elder Community Leader of the Year: Nola Radiotis