Citizens of the Year announced

Mayor Angelo Tsirekas presented the City of Canada Bay Citizens of the Year awards at Australia Day celebrations in Cabarita Park.

The day included a citizenship ceremony which welcomed 44 City of Canada Bay residents as Australian citizens.

Mayor Angelo Tsirekas said Australia Day is a celebration of the community spirit that makes Australia unique.

"This is a day where we can honour our local citizens for their service to the community and recognise their selflessness and valuable contribution," Mayor Tsirekas said.

"This year's awards have gone to people who have participated in a wide variety of activities, working to sustain and improve our reputation as a vibrant place to work and live.

"Another important part of the day is welcoming our newest citizens. At yesterday's Australia Day ceremony, 44 people took up citizenship. Congratulations to you all."

Balmain Tigers' legend, Ben Elias, was the City of Canada Bay's Australia Day Ambassador and presented the Australia Day address.  

Citizen of the Year is Mervyn Spencer. Mr Spencer is president of the Drummoyne Community Centre Management Committee, a position he has held for much of his 16 years involvement with the Centre. In addition to his management role, Mr Spencer has taken hands on roles with the Centre to ensure its events and activities run as smoothly as possible. Throughout his time, Mr Spencer has been involved in the Centre's subcommittees and has always been on hand to welcome and provide support during events. Mr Spencer's colleagues describe him as even-tempered and level headed, providing support with program planning. Described as a stalwart, Mr Spencer's contribution to the City of Canada Bay through his direction of the essential support programs provided by the Centre has made him an essential part of the team that is Drummoyne Community Centre.

Young Citizen of the Year is Bronwyn Poole. Bronwyn has been involved with a diverse range of community groups and activities, from Sisters Bay Bushcare to sports. She was the representative for Canada Bay schools at the 2010 Carols in the Park, has organised a Relay for Life team from Domremy College after spending many years as a participant and is a Little Athletics coach. Bronwyn competed in the Australian Age Diving Championships and volunteers for the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal. After earning her Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, Bronwyn is now working towards her Gold Award.

Arts and Culture Citizen is Lydia Burjan. A parent of Mortlake Public School, Mrs Burjan has been the driving force behind the school's successful music tuition program. In 2006, she initiated the program, organising a variety of music tutors to teach a variety of instruments including guitar, cello, piano, drums and flute. The program has grown from the initial 45 students to 160. Recognising not all students could access musical instruments, Mrs Burjan encouraged the Mortlake Public School P and C to form a music subcommittee, raising funds to purchase musical instruments and provide scholarships for students who couldn't afford tuition fees. Mrs Burjan now leads the school orchestra and the school choir, and assists with choreography for special events.

 Sports Citizen of the Year is Olivia Price. At just 19 years of age, Olivia is the youngest skipper in the Women's Match-Racing crews vying for selection in this year's London Olympics sailing squad. Olivia was selected for the Australian Sailing Development Squad at aged 16 and this year was nominated for Yachting Australia's 2011 Youth Sailor of the Year. She was part of the gold medal team in the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Sail for Gold world cup at Weymouth, England and has been number one on the ISAF world rankings. Olivia skippered her team to third place in the 2011 World Cup leg at Kiel in Germany and enjoyed a great start to the season with some good wins over her International competitors at World Cup competitions in Perth.