Michael Sukkar MP

Unsung Heroes Honoured at Deakin Community Awards

The inaugural Deakin Community Awards today honoured dozens of people for selflessly giving their time, energy and skills to help make our community a better place to live.

Federal Member for Deakin, Michael Sukkar, presented awards to worthy recipients from close to 60 community organisations including sporting clubs, churches, service organisations, community houses, charities and environmental groups.

“It was my privilege to recognise these people who work tirelessly to strengthen our community,” Mr Sukkar said.

“The winners represent the rich diversity of the Deakin community and the varied ways in which people make a contribution.”

“There are some incredible stories among these unsung heroes, from those who have raised thousands of dollars for worthy causes, to others who have umpired or coached hundreds of sporting games.”

More than 250 people joined Mr Sukkar at the Whitehorse Centre to celebrate the Deakin Community Awards.

Councillor Ann Fraser was named Overall Winner of the Deakin Community Awards in recognition of her outstanding contribution to numerous community groups including the Ringwood Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Red Cross, Country Women’s Association, Meals on Wheels and various schools, churches and sporting clubs.

“Ann is known for her selflessness, her unwavering commitment to making our community a better place, particularly for the young, old and disadvantaged, and her ability to get things done,” Mr Sukkar said.

“I cannot think of a more worthy winner. She embodies the spirit of the awards, doing everything she possibly can to support the community without expecting anything in return.”

A judging panel, comprised of Cr Raylene Carr (Whitehorse City Council), Gary Cooper (Simpson Park/Somers Trail Advisory Committee), Cr Tony Dib (Maroondah City Council) and Sylvia Nelsson (Lions Club of Croydon), assisted with the selection of the award recipients, including the Overall Winner.

Mr Sukkar thanked all of the community organisations who nominated an award winner in the Deakin Community Awards 2014.

Congratulations to all the Deakin Community Award Winners:

Beth Dooley
AMES Volunteer Tutor Program

David Whitehead
Aquinas Old Collegians Football Club

Christina Puopolo
Ariels Victorian Churches Netball Association

Par Tha Hluan Mang Cin
Australia Chin Community (Eastern Melbourne)

Don Peake
Blackburn Bowls Club

Paul Molan
Blackburn Football Club

Kevin Prendergast
Blackburn Football Club

Danni Quinlan
Blackburn Junior Football Club

Deb Sandells
Blackburn Junior Football Club

Alison Western
Australian Red Cross – Blackburn Branch

Dawn Palmer
Australian Red Cross – Blackburn Branch

Trudy Jones
Cherry Tree Grove Retirement Village

No Than Thluai Zahau
Chin Community Victoria

Liz Sanzaro
Greek Orthodox Parish of St Andrew

Les Hutchinson
Croydon Historical Society

Rosemary Carter
Australian Red Cross – Croydon Branch

Rosemary Johnson
Eastern Suburbs/Warranwood LETS

Patricia Manson
Evergreens

Sharon Partridge
Heatherdale Community Action Group

Brian Ross-Soden
Heatherdale Community Action Group

Carol Peterson
Heathmont Baptist Church

Joyce Webb
Heathmont Inter Church Help

Alison Ingamells
Heathmont Ladies Probus

Fiona Birch
Heathmont Presbyterian Church

Ian Rutherfurd
Jeffery Street Association

Catherine Fyffe
Koonung Cottage Community House

Peter Feeney
Maroondah Photographic Society

Vicki Callaway
Maroondah Rugby Union Club

Tony Hogg
Mitcham Residents Association

Rebecca Little
NewHope Baptist Church

Dr Michael Varney
NewHope Community Care

Colin Haslam
Norwood Football Club

Doug Archer
Nunawading Vikings Basketball Club

Janet Weda
Penumbra Centre

Trudi Gumley
Pope Road Kindergarten

Kaye Smith
Ringwood Art Society

Cr Ann Fraser
Ringwood Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Ian Barnes
Ringwood Football Club

Irene Harris
Ringwood Little Athletics Centre

Brian Morgan
Ringwood Athletic Centre Special Committee of Council

Ellen Eade
Ringwood RSL Women’s Auxiliary

Bep Wolfers
U3A Ringwood

Brian McDaid
Rotary Club of Croydon

Russell Warmington
Rotary Club of Nunawading

Peter Schoner
Rotary Club of Nunawading

Matthew Walsh
Simpson Park/Somers Trail Advisory Committee (Heatherdale Creek Parklands)

Reverend Father Stavros Kakavas
St Andrew’s Greek Language School

Stelios Konstantinidis
Greek Orthodox Parish of St Andrew

Pam Carroll
St Stephen’s Community Living Centre

Joneen Jones
Stairway Church Whitehorse

Ray Gibson
The Field Naturalists Club of Victoria

Frank Wells
Probus Club of Nunawading

Noel Jones
The Salvation Army

Audrey Bruce
The Salvation Army

Julie McLean
TLC Community Church

Robyn Cox
U3A Nunawading

Helen Corbett
War Widows Ringwood

Edward Linnell
1st Nunawading Scout Group

Lea Young
3rd Croydon Scout Group