By Casey Neill
Yvonne Smith is Greater Dandenong’s Citizen of the Year.
The Noble Park resident and 29-year CWA veteran received the honour at the council’s Australia Day Festival in Dandenong Park, on Thursday 26 January.
Norden Group founder and Rotarian Ron Anson received the Corporate Citizen of the Year award and Fusion Theatre founder Jo Raphael was awarded the Leadership Award.
Angela Beveridge and Deng Yong Deng shared the Young Leader of the Year Award for their efforts to support the municipality’s youths.
Vajira Ekanayake was unwell in hospital and unable to accept his Community Hall of Fame award.
His daughter Ruwanie said the news had given him “a bit of light”.
“He absolutely loved hearing the news that he was receiving one of the premium awards and for him it really felt as though it was quite symbolic,” she said.
“He thinks he was born to help people in the community.”
Ruwanie said he’d been quite active in organising annual medical seminars to try to share awareness and make sure people were pro-active about their health.
He organises Christmas carols for Monash Medical Centre patients and champions the Red Cross.
“Because of his longstanding health conditions he’s always found ways to give back within his capability,” she said.
“Despite his situation, he’s a great example of how you can really do so much even when you’re going through a tough time.
“I’m so proud of everything that he does.”
Ross Hepburn was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame and Big Bash League cricketer Sophie Molineux was named Sports Person of the Year.
Volunteer of the Year Celine Tauro has been a volunteer tutor with the Too Low in English program, organised through St Mary’s parish in Dandenong, for 13 years.
Ms Tauro isn’t a trained teacher but has developed her own teaching material at her own cost to support the program.
Multicultural Award winner Atiq Abed was overseas and unable to accept his award in person.
He works actively within the local community to support stronger communities and social inclusion. His paid employment at AMES is complemented by extensive voluntary work with South East Community Links, a research project for the Burnet Institute, developing cross cultural football/soccer teams, learn to drive mentoring.
Read full stories about Ms Smith, Mr Anson, the young leaders and Ms Raphael.
