Kwinana Community Awards

The City of Kwinana announced the winners of the Kwinana Community Awards, with two individuals and one group recognised across three categories.

Mayor Peter Feasey said the Kwinana Community Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of outstanding Kwinana residents.

Kwinana Community Person of the Year Claire Cardew is a natural leader and passionate about connecting people, he said, highly active in her own neighbourhood through the Wellard Village People Town Team and volunteering at events across the City.

“Claire has volunteered her time through Team Connect at Gilmore College, and events at Halloween and the Lolly Run,” Mayor Feasey said.

“It is an honour to be able to formally recognise her contribution and commitment to our community,” he said.

Vodek Keller was named Kwinana Senior Person of the Year.

“Vodek is a valued member of the community contributing much of his time to making our community a better place to live, work and play,” Mayor Feasey said.

“The Wellard Village People Town Team was named Kwinana Group of the Year, given its core focus is to create spaces that are inviting and comfortable where people can feel at home and gather together to connect, organising events that facilitate connection and taking part in the Wellard Village 7 Day Makeover.

“A highly commended award also went to Kara Smith for her contributions within Kwinana’s bounds,” he said.

The awards for these category winners will be presented in a ceremony or celebration at the winner’s club/organisation with an allowance of $1000 for the event for each winner.

Each category winner also receives a $250 gift voucher, a trophy and certificate, together with a $600 grant for their club/organisation for capacity building or small equipment purchases.

Winners were selected by a Community Awards Selection Panel on 7 March 2024.

It is important to recognise and acknowledge those special members of our community who help make Kwinana a great place. A thriving community needs people from all walks of life to broaden our understanding of the world around us and to help make our neighbourhoods safe, welcoming and inclusive.

We need your help to learn who is out there making your life better! We want to hear about the parent who has run the sporting club canteen every weekend for the last 10 years, the senior making great achievements, whether that is in the arts, academia, service to others or at a local club/organisation

2021 Kwinana Citizen of the Year - JACOB SOLOMON

Jacob thrives on helping the community and is involved in numerous groups including the Indian Society of WA, Indians in Kwinana, Malayalee Association of WA, Healing International, Charity for a Cause, Celebrate Culture, Connecting Communities for Kids and more.

2020 Kwinana Citizen of the Year - LYNN COOMER

Lynn Coomer is committed to the Ngala Yorga Group, Celebrate Culture Kwinana, the Medina Residents Group and the Kwinana community. Lynn’s work helps connect new and old residents of the community, celebrating and acknowledging different cultures and supporting and connecting Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women. Lynn has always been active around the community of Kwinana and is well-known for her work to support, champion and share knowledge of the Noongar people of South West Australia.

2019 Kwinana Citizen of the Year - NIC MARSHALL

Nic has been a member of the Southern Districts BMX Raceway for 10 years. For the past eight years he has been the President of the club. In 2019 Nic successfully bidded for, then organised the 2019 BMX Sports WA State Titles to be hosted by the club. It has been 20 years since last state titles were hosted at the Southern Districts BMX club – a huge achievement.

2019 Kwinana Senior Citizen of the Year - BOB THOMPSON

Bob has lived in and actively, continually served Kwinana Community for 30 years. Bob has actively served in the past on Local Emergency Management Committee; Local Theatre Club and as a City Councilor for 4 years. In addition to this, Bob is currently still actively locally serving with the Kwinana Rotary Club, the Catholic Church, Emergency Home Help program, on the Citizens Advice Bureau Management Committee, as Koorliny Arts Centre Board member, a Kwinana Tennis Club member; and as an ethnic community support provider.

2018 Kwinana Citizen of the Year - CHRIS ARTEMIS

Chris is the one of the most active members of the Kwinana South Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade. He unreservedly gives his time to serve the Brigade and community as a whole. Chris has taken on the position of a lieutenant within the Brigade and exceeds the requirements of this role. Chris is known to meet with members of the community in his own time at their properties to discuss fire safety and mitigation techniques. This is beyond any requirement of the Brigade. In addition to his commitment to the Bush Fire Brigade, Chris has also sacrificed considerable amounts of his time to the Kwinana Knights Junior Football team over the years. Despite a current break in service to the club, to allow him to focus more on his duties with the Fire Brigade, Chris’ hard work and dedication to the club is still fondly acknowledged.

2017 Kwinana Citizen of the Year - ABRAM (BRAM) ZIEGELAAR

83 year old Abram Ziegelaar has contributed enormously to shaping the Kwinana community. Bram is a long term Kwinana resident, moving to the area 50 years. During this time Bram, and his wife Thea have dedicated themselves to supporting their local community. Volunteers at the Kwinana Branch of St Vincent de Paul for all of those 50 years, Bram has served as president for over 20 of those years and has selflessly given everything he can to helping others, regardless of religion, culture or organisational background.

2016 Kwinana Citizen of the Year - MANDY GRUBB

Mandy Grubb is a familiar face in the Kwinana community. As the founder of the Medina Residents Group, Mandy has organized the much-loved Medina Festival for more than five years. Mandy is committed to protecting and celebrating the heritage of Kwinana, creating the Medina Heritage Walk Guide and a film called Koorliny Together. Mandy works closely with the local aboriginal community, helping to organize tours, walks and activities at the Spectacles Wetlands and other significant bushland areas. She is also known for her work with the Smith Family.

2016 Kwinana Young Person of the Year - SARA SHENGEB

Sara has made it her mission to ensure young people from different backgrounds feel like they belong in the Kwinana community. Sara moved to Australia as a political refugee nearly five years ago, and in a short time has made many achievements in the area of human rights for young people. Sara has been involved with the Fremantle Multicultural Office, Commissioner for Children and Young People, Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network of Western Australia and more recently coordinated a program called the Shout Out Initiative, which helps young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds build the skills and confidence to share their own stories. Sara has also been nominated for the Young People's Human Rights Medal.