Jeanette, who served on Council for 17 years and gives her time to support a number of groups including Meals on Wheels and Concord Hospital, was recognised at today’s Australia Day ceremony hosted by Mayor Helen McCaffrey.
“This is a well-deserved accolade for Janette who’s commitment, enthusiasm and advocacy in the City of Canada Bay has delivered benefits for many years for our community,” Mayor McCaffrey said.
Other residents honoured at the ceremony included: Arts & Culture Citizen of the Year, Brian Simmons, the founder of the Chiswick Communities Activities Group; Young Citizen, Rose Cox, a carer who uses her life experiences to make a difference in the lives of people under the age of 25 through advocacy; Sports Citizen of the Year, Tyler Martin, competed in the Australian Water Polo team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The event also included a Citizenship Ceremony and address by Australia Day Ambassador, Gold Logie-award winning singer, entertainer, and actress, Lorrae Desmond.
“Australia Day is a chance to come together and celebrate community spirit. Congratulations to all of our winners and to our newest citizens,” Mayor McCaffrey said.
Jeanette volunteers for a number of organisations including Meals on Wheels, Heritage Society, her church group and Concord Hospital. Each Anzac Day she helps serve breakfast following the Dawn Service at Concord RSL. She was instrumental in establishing Harry’s Shed, named after her husband. Jeanette served on Council for 17 years (nine years with Concord and eight years with City of Canada Bay).
Founder of the Chiswick Community Activities Group, Brian has set up a website to promote the group and its activities including salsa for seniors, guitar lessons, and the ukulele group. He recently coordinated Movies Under the Stars at Chiswick and acted as the MC and performed at Chiswick Splash, community event.
At the age of eight, Rose became a carer for her three-year-old sister and mother, who is seriously ill with a neurological illness. Currently Vice-Captain at Strathfield Girls High School, Rose is on the NSW Carers’ Ministerial Advisory Council, advancing the interests of carers through legislation and policy. She was awarded the title of NSW Youth Parliamentarian during the 2016 YMCA NSW Youth Parliament program and attended the NSW Biennial Conference as a Young Carer Leader and has told her story on many television and radio shows. In her spare time, Rose volunteers with the Exodus Foundation, serving breakfast to disadvantaged people.
Tyler competed in the Australian men’s water polo team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Educated at Drummoyne Primary School, Tyler has been a member of the Drummoyne Water Polo Club since 2000 and was first selected to represent Australia in 2010 and the Australian team at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships. He was also a member of the Drummoyne Devils who finished fifth in the Australian National Water Polo League.