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.
Australia Day award recipients 2023
On Thursday 26 January, 2023 Councillor Rob Steane, Mayor of Maroondah, announced the recipients of the 2023 Australia Day awards.
Citizen of the Year – Dennis Johnston
Dennis Johnston was named 2023 Citizen of the Year for his long-standing involvement with and contribution to Biala Ringwood, an organisation dedicated to providing support and care for special-needs children.
Starting out in a voluntary capacity more than a decade ago and then joining Biala’s Committee of Management serving in the role of Vice-Chair and later Chairman, Dennis has provided leadership on all aspects of the organisation at board and operational levels.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, Dennis showed impeccable leadership, resilience, care and initiative. Working with the committee, he led the development of ‘Biala in the Home’ as part the organisation’s respite program, ensuring that families continued to receive the support needed during lockdown.
This included arranging toys and other resources to be delivered to homes and maintaining regular phone contact with families.
More recently, Dennis successfully negotiated a share of the proceeds of a substantial Victorian Government grant, ensuring Biala can continue providing much-needed respite service for years to come.
Young Citizen of the Year – Jackson Smith and Alyssa Solidaga
Jackson Smith and Alyssa Solidaga are joint recipients of the Young Citizen of the Year award.
Jackson and Alyssa have both demonstrated exceptional leadership in the community as active members of Maroondah Youth Wellbeing Advocate program - a program that advocates for the inclusion of young people’s voices through various projects and initiatives in Maroondah - as well as being Student Representative Council (SRC) captains at their school.
As Maroondah Youth Wellbeing Advocates they assisted in planning and emceeing Maroondah’s first Student Voice Forum and co-facilitated workshops. Together they also proposed, designed and delivered an interactive workshop about student voice for local Grade 5 students.
Jackson excels in the performing arts and takes on leadership roles both on and off stage. He supports all aspects of his school’s productions and was recently nominated for a Lyrebird Award and a Music Theatre Guild of Victoria award for his outstanding performance.
Alyssa is currently philanthropy captain for her year level and has been successful in the role of philanthropy prefect for her final year of school in 2023. Through her work as philanthropy captain, Alyssa has led the running of multiple charity events raising money for FightMND and Teach Us Consent.
Working alongside each other as Student Representative Council members, they continue to support their peers to take action within their school and to encourage positive change.
Community Event of the Year – Chin National Day Festival
The Chin Festival was the first Chin event to be held outdoors in Maroondah, attracting around 4000 members of the community in a celebration of the 74th Chin National Day.
The Chin people all over the world celebrate this auspicious day in their own way. Cultural troupes from various tribes were brought together on this special occasion to promote understanding, sense of identity and unity.
Held at Croydon Main Street on 20 February 2022, the festival provided the opportunity for all cultures to witness and have a better understanding of Chin culture.
The event was greatly received by many people from different cultures, with many keen to learn more.
Award winners Jackson Smith, Alyssa Solidaga, Kham Liam, on behalf of the Chin National Day Festival, and Dennis Johnston.
Previous award winners
2022 award winners
On Wednesday 26 January, 2022 Councillor Mike Symon, Mayor of Maroondah, announced the recipients of the 2022 Australia Day awards.
Citizen of the Year - Terri Verberne
Terri Verberne was recognised as the 2022 Citizen of the Year for her incredible service and leadership in the community.
Terri has contributed 20 plus years of service to Scouts Victoria, including five years as Maroondah District Commissioner. She is a mentor to over 20 adults and is currently a Group Leader.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, Terri showed impeccable leadership, resilience, care and initiative. From continuing to champion the 600 youth and 130 adults through Zoom meetings, to working on multiple hall upgrades for our young people, Terri epitomises what it means to be a dedicated volunteer.
Young Citizen of the Year - Lily Van Sui Cer Kingbawl
Lily Van Sui Cer Kingbawl was awarded Young Citizen of the Year for her passion and commitment to supporting the broader Maroondah community.
Lily is an active member in Council’s Youth Services programs and is involved in Eastern Access Community Health’s campaigns to raise awareness of safety over the continued effects of the pandemic.
Lily is strongly connected to her Chin (Myanmar) culture and is a Chin Cultural Liaison, supporting many young Chin students and their families. Lily is also an active member of the Chin Family Strengths and Project Advisory Group with Foundation House. She has recently become the Assistant Secretary of the Youth Department in the Australia Chin Community - Eastern Melbourne Inc.
Lily also volunteers her time at the Victoria Chin Baptist Church, teaching Sunday school to children.
Community Event of the Year - The Ringwood Eisteddfod
The Ringwood Eisteddfod was one of the very few community competition events able to take place in 2021. With a large span of awards in performing arts as well as music, the Eisteddfod provided the opportunity for over 700 community members to participate.
Not just an event for young aspiring musicians—the Ringwood Eisteddfod offers awards which are open to any age, encouraging an inclusive opportunity to compete in skill level, not just age.
As lockdown hit in June, rather than cancel, the Eisteddfod committee worked around the clock to quickly modify performance schedules to be COVID-19 safe and fit with the rapidly changing regulations. All the sections of the event were delivered “in-person”; a rare and epic effort in this current climate.
2021 awards winners
Citizen of the Year - Anupa Shah
All award winners - 2009 to 2022
Year |
Community Event of the Year |
Young Citizen of the Year |
Citizen of the Year |
2022 |
Ringwood Eisteddfod |
Lily Van Sui Cer Kingbawl |
Terri Verberne |
2021 |
Glen Park Community Centre & Eastland |
Lachlan Kennedy |
Anupa Shah |
2020 |
Winter Shelter |
Ben Voogd |
Averil Embury |
2019 |
Ringwood & District Historical Society |
Prateeti Sabhlok |
Ian Barnes |
2018 |
Ringwood Secondary College |
Georgia Read |
Dr Graeme Lorimer |
2017 |
Ringwood East Bendigo Community Bank |
Hau Za Cin Kip Gen |
Jill Cowie |
2016 |
Maroondah Schools Anzac Service |
Ashley Cooke |
Ian Ware |
2015 |
Croydon Toy Library |
Emily Roberts |
Gretta Fuller |
2014 |
Women’s Health East |
Stacey Cadman |
Anne Hubbard |
2013 |
Maroondah Relay for Life |
Esther Loughnane |
Peter Feeney |
2012 |
Maroondah Community Remembrance Day Ceremony - Youth Voice for Peace |
Frances Rowlands |
Peter McArthur |
2011 |
Maroondah Education Coalition, Aquinas College & Audio District Maroondah FReeZA Group |
Beth Purcell |
Terri Verberne |
2010 |
Ringwood Football Club |
James Andrews |
Tony Hart |
2009 |
Monkami Centre |
Michael Higgins |
Jenny Newman |