Australia Day Breakfast & Citizens of the Year Awards 2025

Published on Sunday, 26 January 2025 at 2:00:00 PM

On Sunday 26 January, the Shire hosted its annual Australia Day Breakfast and Citizen of the Year Awards at Neergabby. The weather and atmosphere was wonderful and the morning was thoroughly enjoyed by all attendees.

Welcoming everyone to the event was Shire CEO Scott Wildgoose, followed by an Acknowledgment of Country by Cr Erik Sorensen.

Shire President Cr Linda Balcombe then presided over the pledging of 8 new Australian Citizens:
  • Peter Bogan
  • Laurinda Chapman
  • Andrea Corcoran
  • Genesia Koorasingh
  • Andrii Melnyk
  • Jacqueline Wills
  • Hendrik & Annelize Hanekom
This year's Australia Day event was made extra special with Cr Balcombe bestowing two new Honorary Freeman of the Shire of Gingin awards to Robert Brodie-Hall of Gingin and Bob James of Lancelin. This honour is only awarded on rare and exceptional occasions and is given to citizens who have demonstrated an outstanding level of service and commitment to the Gingin Shire community over many years.

Facilitating the Citizen of the Year Awards were Deputy Shire President Cr Rob Kestel, Cr Andrea Vis, Cr Nikki Woods and Cr Jason Weeks, who read the nominations and presented the awards.

The winners of the Citizen of the Year Awards 2025 are:
  • 2025 Community Citizen of the Year Award: Sue Hicks
  • 2025 Active Citizenship of the Year Award (Group/Event): Lower Coastal Community Association - Bus Group
  • 2025 Senior Community Citizen of the Year Award: Tom Cabassi
  • 2025 Young Community Citizen of the Year: Dylan Bak
Congratulations to the Shire of Gingin’s newest Aussie citizens and award recipients!
We'd like to extend a big thank you to the Woodridge Community Association for the sumptuous breakfast, Kelea Gardner for the entertainment, the Neergabby Community Association for the use of the grounds once again.

We'd also like to extend special thanks to guest speaker Jo Ottaway, and our awesome Community Development & Services team Andi, Olivia and Martina for organising another terrific Australia Day event.

We will be uploading photos from the day to a Facebook album after the public holiday, so keep your eye out for that.

Congratulations once again to all the new citizens and award winners!

Pictured: Shire President Linda Balcombe with Community Citizen of the Year winner, Sue Hicks.

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