By CASEY NEILL
“WE really live in a wonderful country.”
This was Twanny Farrugia’s reaction to receiving the Greater Dandenong Citizen of the Year award at the Australia Day Festival in the Park on Sunday.
“I haven’t been this excited since I graduated, and that’s many, many moons ago!” he said.
The Young Achiever of the Year award went to Guillaume Nyakaboyi.
Doveton’s Sky Thomas was the Non-Resident of the Year and Annmarie Lochery and Nhar Ieng were joint winners of the Good Neighbour of the Year title.
Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti said they were hard-working and the city’s quiet achievers.
“You are truly inspiring and are a shining example of the values and spirit our community strives to encompass,” he said.
Mr Farrugia moved to Australia from Malta when he was 11, and received the 18th kidney transplant performed at St Vincent’s Hospital.
“This country has given me life in more ways than one,” he said.
“It gives you the resources to be anything you want to be if you’re not scared of a day’s work.”
The 60-year-old Springvale man has since been instrumental in raising awareness about organ and tissue donation.
“Through education we can remove that element of fear and those myths,” he said.
“Thirty years ago when my father died his wishes were to be an organ donor.
“I feel I’m in a unique position, having been on both sides of the fence.”
Mr Farrugia, who is vision-impaired, advocates for positive change to support people with disabilities and new migrants and refugees.
Mr Nyakaboyi, 21, was highly commended for the Young Achiever award last year.
“I was ecstatic and honoured to win it this year,” he said.
The Noble Park man has volunteered with young leader, ambassador and advisory programs since arriving in Australia to ensure young voices are heard.
He was selected for the State Government’s Involve Youth Committee where he represented the south east region and reported to the Youth Affairs Minister.
“I believe that everyone has something to give to the community,” he said.
“I was told that it’s always good to use your talent to help humanity in any possible way.”
He is part of the Noble Park-based Young African Connection and his goal for the year is to start tutoring sessions for young Africans.
Ms Thomas, 19, plays an active role in Indigenous groups and youth programs and is an ambassador for Greater Dandenong’s Get Up Speak Out anti-racism campaign.
“I was really surprised when they told me about the award,” she said.
“Then they showed a list of all the stuff I did – you don’t really think about it as you’re doing it.”
She’s studying fashion at RMIT and will run a sewing program with the council’s Youth Services team at the end of February.
Ms Lochery was born at Dandenong Hospital and still calls the suburb home.
“It’s a privilege to live in this great neighbourhood,” she said.
“Being nominated for the award was amazing.
“It’s something I really take to heart because I try to be a good neighbour and show people how to be a good neighbour.”
Ms Lochery worked with support service Wellsprings for more than 10 years, served on the board at The Open Door and has volunteered at St Vincent de Paul for 12 years – all while working full time.
She’s now Vinnies’ Dandenong region president.
“We visit people in homes, caravan parks, boarding houses, and provide them with emergency food relief,” she said.
“The best part is hearing their stories. It also makes you feel part of the community.”
She’s learnt to say ’hello’ and’ thank you’ in 14 different languages.
“It breaks down barriers, it’s amazing.
“Looking after each other and supporting each other – I think that’s what Dandenong is all about.”
Mr Ieng has supported the Khmer community since arriving in Australia in 1980 and worked to preserve the culture he left behind.
“He’s very excited to have received the Australia Day award and he feels very satisfied after all these years that he has put in to help the Cambodian community,” his daughter Sokha Ieng said on his behalf.
“He’s very, very speechless.
“He just does it from the bottom of his heart.”
The Springvale South man has been the key fundraiser for a Cambodian temple in Springvale.
“He wants the temple so the new generation of Cambodian people can feel that the culture always exists,” Ms Ieng said.
