Photo: Brimbank City Council

Mayor of Brimbank, Cr Margaret Giudice presented awards in nine categories, as well as a special award for Outstanding Contribution.

·        Citizen of the Year: Rod Boyd JP

·        Young Citizen of the Year: Michael Lim

·        Lifetime Achievement Award: St Albans Community Cooperative Pty Ltd

·        Community Wellbeing Award: Za Tuah Ngur

·        Environmental Achievement Award: St Albans Meadows Primary School

·        Cultural Achievement Award: A tied result with awards presented to Rita Seumanutafa and Tracee Hutchison

·        Educator of the Year: Jacinda Richards

·        Essential Services Excellence Award: Georgie Hall

·        Community Sport Achievement Award: Ian Mackenzie

·        Mayor’s Outstanding Contribution Award: Sebastian ‘Sam’ Agricola

Cr Giudice also made special mention of all the nominees and finalists who have given years of service through their hard work and achievements.

“It has not been an easy task to choose the winners from such an extraordinary field of amazing people, many of whom I know personally,” Cr Giudice said.

“Brimbank is a proud and vibrant community and this year’s award winners and nominees are very much at the heart of what makes Brimbank such a wonderful place.

“Our award winners show a great deal of dedication to this great city and they make Brimbank a better place through their inspirational achievements.”

The Mayor also acknowledged everyone who took the initiative to nominate the individuals and organisations for consideration in the 2018 Brimbank Australia Day Awards.

“With your support, we have recognised and celebrated so many champions in our community and I encourage you all to think about who you should nominate in 2019,” she said.

The awards are Brimbank City Council’s first event marking Brimbank’s 2018 Australia Day celebrations, which culminate in the Citizenship Ceremony on Australia Day.

Brimbank City Council’s official Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony is on Friday 26 January 2018 at Kevin Wheelahan Gardens and includes a community barbecue breakfast from 8am.

There will be entertainment from the Sunshine Community Brass Band, who will be celebrating their 90^th anniversary this year, as well as roving performers, before 150 conferees take the oath of citizenship when the official ceremony begins at 10am.