Television talent contest winner Cyrus Villanueva will join the limited ranks of sportsmen, gold medal winners and one other performer who have been given Wollongong’s “keys to the city”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Last week the Kanahooka 19-year-old was named the winner of the television show X Factor.
At Monday night’s council meeting, Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery used a lord mayoral minute to highlight Mr Villanueva’s success, asking councillors to formally congratulate the reality TV contestant.
He also said Mr Villanueva should receive the keys to the city to “acknowledge his high profile and level of achievement in the field of arts”, and suggested he be invited to be an honorary ambassador for Wollongong.
In recommending Mr Villaneuva for the award, Cr Bradbery noted the young man attended a public primary school in Dapto and went to Kanahooka High School.
“His national profile is one that highlights the success of the public school education system in producing talent at a nationally recognised level,” Cr Bradbery said.
“He has nurtured his talent which hopefully will continue to nourish the Australian arts scene and provide an example to other young people who have aspirations to follow in the performing arts.”
Cr Bradbery said he expected to cop criticism for his nomination, however he said it was important for Mr Villanueva to be “owned by his people”.
“I’m not suggesting for moment that there aren’t other people who should be recognised,” he said.
“But this is a moment to put down the barriers and recognise this young guy who has done his town well.”
His push was supported unanimously by other councillors, even those who professed their ignorance about Mr Villanueva .
“I had never heard of this person until the other day,” Greens councillor George Takacs admitted.
“But I will support your motion, because when someone does something like this it’s not because of talent. I imagine it’s pretty competitive, this X Factor? So it comes not from talent, it comes from hard work.”
School principal, Dapto resident and Labor councillor Chris Connor said it was fantastic to see a “product of a public school” in Kanahooka being recognised.
“As a city we really understate our achievements, and [Mr Villanueva] has come from part of our city that’s often quite maligned,” Cr Connor said.
“He’s an inspiring young man … [who has] lifted the profile of our city nationally.”
The civic recognition of the keys to the city has been bestowed sporadically over the past 20 years, mostly handed out to sports teams or individual athletes.
The last person to receive the honour was former Hawks captain Mat Campbell, who was recognised for his 17 year career and for playing a key role in keeping the basketball team in the competition.
The St George Illawarra Dragons got the keys in 2009 when they won the MFL premiership, and the Hawks and Wolves have received the same honour. Grand Prix motorcycle racer Wayne Gardner was the first person to be given the city keys in 1987, and performer Anthony Warlow also got the recognition in 1997.
The late Commonwealth Games gold medal winner Kerryn McCann has been the sole woman to receive the honour.