Australia Day Awards recipients
The Maroondah Australia Day Awards recognise the achievements of Australians and the contribution they make to the Maroondah community. Awards are presented in three categories:
- Citizen of the Year
- Young Citizen of the Year
- Community Event of the Year
The 2012 Maroondah Australia Day Awards were presented on 26 January 2012 and we offer our congratulations to the following deserving recipients:
Peter McArthur
Citizen of the Year
Peter is a former Mayor and Councillor of the former City Of Croydon. In 1974 he was a key player in the formation of local community radio station, Radio Eastern Fm 98.1. After 16 years of test broadcasts and lobbying the State Government, a permanent licence was granted in 1990.
As a volunteer, Peter has a Monday and Tuesday morning program each week and is editor and is a presenter of local eastern area news. He has involved hundreds of local Maroondah community organisations and individuals in programs on Radio Eastern 98.1FM. He also hosts Saturday afternoon EFL football broadcasts and he is on the Board of Directors of Channel 31 Television and served as President for 5 years.
Frances Rowlands
Young Citizen of the Year
Frances completed the Maroondah Young Leaders Program in 2011 and also participated in Maroondah City Council’s Peer Engagement Program; volunteering her time as a team member in the Maroondah Youth Consultation Project.
Frances is also a recipient of the Melbourne University Kwong Lee Dow Scholarship – Young Scholars Program. She helps look after the Croydon Primary School Sanctuary (an environmental initiative).
In 2011 Frances went to Charlton with the Venturers (a part of the scout movement) to physically help with flood relief and has also raised $2000 for the disadvantaged through Heifer International (a global nonprofit established in 1944, with the goal of ending poverty and hunger in a sustainable fashion).
A Maroondah Community Remembrance Day Ceremony – Youth Voice for Peace
Community Event of the Year
Representatives from local community, government organisations and secondary schools from within the maroondah education coalition (mec) were involved in the planning and implementation of this unique remembrance day ceremony. The intent of this event was to remember these men and women who lost their lives in war, through the voices of our young people. Youth voice for peace allowed the young people to express their respect to “the fallen” and a desire for future peace, through song and verse. The event was essentially student led and on the day, eight schools participated.
The remembrance ceremony was truly intergenerational and fostered community values of respect, inclusiveness and service to others.
The Australia Day Awards process
The Awards for Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year recognise outstanding contributions to the Maroondah community by individuals. The contribution could be in the areas of sport; hobbies; at school, college or university; in business or trade; to the environment; personal achievement or voluntary work.
The person does not need to be a resident of Maroondah, but their contribution must be substantially to the community of Maroondah
The Award for Community Event of the Year recognises an event which best reflects the importance of strong community values and ties. The event must have taken place in Maroondah during the previous year.
Nomination forms are available online and nominations close in mid November. All nominees and award winners are presented with certificates from the Mayor of Maroondah at an Australia Day Ceremony on the 26 January each year.