2017 Civic Awards
Recipients of the 2017 Civic Awards
On 26 January 2017, Council formally acknowledged the efforts of individuals and organisations who contribute to helping others in the City of Maribyrnong.
Mayor Cr Catherine Cumming hosted a reception where she acknowledged those inspirational community members who give so selflessly to making the City of Maribyrnong a great place to live, work and visit.
The 2017 Civic Awards recipients are below followed by a gallery of photographs of the day.
Citizens of the Year - Maureen Marshall and Gerard White
Maureen Marshall and Gerard White received this prestigious award for 2017 for their tireless efforts in the community.
Maureen is a longstanding volunteer across a number of local organisations with a strong connection to Braybrook and is a Committee member at Western Health in various roles. Maureen has been a passionate volunteer in the areas of health, safety, education, and assisting the disadvantaged in the community for over 20 years.
Maureen was an active participant in the inaugural Braybrook On Board Program in 2015, which led to her completing a Certificate III in Community Services Work in 2016. Further evidence of her commitment to helping the community.
Gerard has played a significant role in growing and nurturing young people in our community to become community leaders and has been instrumental in working for the expansion of Children’s Services through his work at Clare Court Children’s Hub. Gerard's passion to improve the lives of others is evidenced by being a foster parent and in his role as Chairperson for the Brain Injury Foundation (Victoria).
Gerard has been involved with Scouts for almost 20 years and has even served as a Councillor for nine years, two of which he was Mayor of our great City.
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Community Strengthening Award - Crystal Harris
Crystal is the Coordinator of the Cohealth Aboriginal Food Share Program which offers fresh and healthy food to local Indigenous community members.
Crystal works tirelessly to connect Indigenous people with agencies that provide services that may be of benefit for them such as Women's Health West and Victoria University. This invaluable work sees Crystal as this year's recipient of the City of Maribyrnong's Community Strengthening Award.
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Volunteer of the Year Award - Col Paterson
Col's work with the Braybrook Men's Shed since 2012, including being Chairperson, has seen him champion a number of major local projects for the benefit of the community.
Col is a true leader who community members look to in times of need for guidance and support. A well deserved recipient of this year's City of Maribyrnong Volunteer of the Year Award.
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Active Maribyrnong Sporting Award - Robert Sneddon
Robert's natural leadership abilities has provided direction and guidance for young people, particularly in the Yarraville area. Robert's passion for social inclusion has resulted in young people from many different cultural and social backgrounds participate in the world game of soccer.
Robert was instrumental in the inclusion of women in team sports at Yarraville Glory Soccer Club.
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Youth Leadership Award - Terry Tran
Terry has been proactive in the development and implementation of the Maribyrnong Youth Advisory Committee.
He planned and delivered the Changemakers 2.0 Youth Conference and has provided regular advice to Council on new projects or redevelopments that impacted upon the City's youth.
Terry was also one of three students selected to represent Braybrook College at the VicSRC Congress.
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Enterprise Maribyrnong Award for Contribution to Business Community - Littlefoot Bar
Since opening in 2015, Littlefoot has made a meaningful contribution to the community of Footscray by providing locals with a unique venue, not before seen in Footscray.
Littlefoot is an enthusiastic supporter of the local arts community and plays host to a number of activities, events and launches, as well as engaging musicians and performers, facilitating visual art installations and sponsoring local arts groups.
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Enterprise Maribyrnong Award for Innovative Business - TIC Mattress Recycling
TIC Group launched Australia’s first automated mattress recycling system in Tottenham in October 2014.
This TIC Mattress Recycling facility means the waste and pollution associated with ‘end-of-life’ mattresses can now be greatly reduced, as fewer mattresses end up in landfill.
TIC Mattress Recycling is also proud to be working closely with national social enterprise group, Soft Landing, who provide work opportunities for communities and people experiencing hardship.
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Enterprise Maribyrnong Award for New and Emerging Business - The Dream Factory
The Dream Factory, an innovative business and community hub, brings together forward thinking and values-driven businesses, community leaders and up and coming entrepreneurs. It fosters an environment that encourages collaboration not only between those that occupy the premises, but the wider inner-west community.
The focus on attracting value driven tenants has resulted in organisations such as Engineers Without Borders, Cohealth and Inspire9 taking up space within the premises.
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Mayoral Award - Eddie Merrifield
Eddie is an active member of the community and strongly advocates on behalf of City of Maribyrnong residents on a number of issues, with a particular focus on increased community safety.
Eddie has worked actively towards improving street lighting, reducing graffiti and dumped rubbish and improving the municipality’s roads and footpaths.
It’s not just Council that Eddie reports issues of concern. He’s developed relationships with key State and Federal Government agencies and service providers to ensure issues are addressed regardless of whether it be in Footscray, Braybrook or elsewhere in the municipality.
Eddie keeps abreast of issues in the municipality by attending every Council meeting and celebrates the municipality’s successes by attending Mayoral functions and many other events.
In addition to addressing community issues, Eddie works full time and is a long-term carer for his older brother. Eddie’s commitment to the community is highly valued and in the words of the Mayor: “We need more people like Eddie who have such a commitment to their community.”
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Certificates of Commendation - Margaret Haggart, Peter Milne and David Palmer
Council values the commitment of the volunteers who have supported the Yarraville Carols for the past 23 years.
On behalf of the community we thank you for your dedication, community spirit and selfless enthusiasm to deliver this much loved event for so many years.
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Photo Gallery
Take a look at the photo gallery below which includes the 2017 Civic Awards recipients.
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