Wollongong’s Australia Day award winners have been revealed as a diverse group of citizens who are helping put the region’s business, science, sport and culture prowess on the map.
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Among them are a pair of world champion BMX riding siblings, a music festival founder responsible for bringing a host of international acts to the city and a trailblazer who helped inspire generations of budding Illawarra scientists at the Science Centre.
Wollongong council’s citizenship and achievement awards for 2016 were announced by Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery at a ceremony on Thursday night, with IRT chief executive Nieves Murray named as the citizen of year.
The council said Ms Murray was selected for the contributions she has made through her work at IRT as well as her work with charities like St Vinnies and her role as an active member of the business community.
Woonona life saver Madeline Bow was awarded the young citizen of the year award while former TAFE director Raymond Tolhurst was named senior citizen of the year.
BMX riding siblings Saya and Kai Sakakibara were jointly awarded the sports achievement award, recognised for representing Australia and NSW at an elite sports level.
Courtney Buchanan, 15, who is one of the top young fencers in Australia, was given the highly commended award.
Scientist Glen Moore, who was instrumental in the initiation and establishment of the Illawarra Science Centre and Planetarium was given the outstanding achievement or innovation award.
Ben Tillman, a director of Yours and Owls and Farmer and the Owl, was recognised for his contributions to arts and culture in Wollongong.
“These are people who have grand and impressive visions for our city and even beyond,” Cr Bradbery said.
“They add depth and value to the areas they are engaged in and to those people they are working with or competing against.”
AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS
- Citizen of the Year: Nieves Murray
- Young Citizen of the Year: Madeline Bow
- Senior Citizen of the Year: Raymond Tolhurst
- Sports Achievement: Kai and Saya Sakakibara
- Highly Commended Sports Achievement: Courtney Buchanan
- Community Group Award joint winners: Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre and Corrimal’s Chamber of Commerce.
- Arts and Cultural Achievement Award: Ben Tillman
- Outstanding Achievement or Innovation Award: Glen Moore