Lane Cove Citizenship Awards

 

Since 1992, Lane Cove Council has presented the Lane Cove Citizenship Awards to acknowledge the contributions made by high achievers in the local community. Awards are presented in the year following the nomination and/or achievement.

©Photo by Matthew Duchesne

Volunteers celebrated at Lane Cove Citizenship Awards

Lane Cove's Annual Citizenship and Neighbour Day Awards were held on Wednesday 18 May to recognise the outstanding contribution of individuals and organisations within the Lane Cove community. Mayor of Lane Cove, Clr Andrew Zbik opened the proceedings which coincided with National Volunteer Week.

Speaking of the significance of the evening Clr Zbik said, "This provides us with an additional opportunity to thank those who willingly give their time for 'the common good'. Whether they are part of the 5 million strong Australians who formally volunteer their time through an organisation or group or whether they are one of the 6.5 million people estimated to informally volunteer their time each year, each person is key to helping us create a community we love to live in".

21 recipients were Awarded a Citizenship Award which culminated in the announcement of Citizens of the Year, Michelle Casiglia. Michelle has been the President of the Lane Cove Concert Band since 2017. There are more than 200 members across six bands which Michelle voluntarily oversees. During the COVID lockdowns Michelle kept everyone's spirits high and brought a sense of normality during uncertain times by coordinating online rehearsals and performances and supporting the ongoing success of this thriving local group.

Volunteer Mike Taylor received a Leadership Award for his work with the local Get a Job! program while Ferg Brand was recognised for his volunteer role with the Learn to Love Your Laptop program. Robyn Stutchbury was recognised for her ongoing community service while Helen Smith was Awarded Sustainable Citizen in recognition of her 20 years of bushcare service. Longstanding sporting club members John Hayward and Belinda Bernstein were recognised with Sport Awards while 19 year old Angus Menzies was recognised for his efforts in swimming. Colin Piper OAM received the only Music, Art and Culture Award of the evening with Dan Graham recognised for his advocacy work with an Access and Disability Award. This year two local businesses received Outstanding Business of the Year with In the Cove recognised for Creating Community Connections and Bakers Delight for their Charitable Support. Storage King (Lane Cove) received the Sustainable Organisation Award while staff from local workplaces also received Awards including Rachael Kiang from Gallery Lane Cove+Creative Studios, Stephen Miller who is the School Crossing Supervisor at Lane Cove Public School and martial-arts expert William Kazuo Saito. Council staff also received Awards, including Michelle Greenfield and members of Council's Tree Team Alex Drenth, Alex Evered, Fletcher Gardner and Brad Tucknott.  

Celebrating a different aspect of community service was the new Neighbour Day Awards which were promoted during Neighbour Day activities in March. Five Awards were presented and each one represented a different way in which the recipients had helped their neighbour. From street parties, helping out with chores, being the reliable port of call, connecting people to their new neighbours, everyone had played a role in their apartment block, street or community.

Congratulations to the recipients presented with the following Awards:

Past Recipients

Some outstanding members of the Lane Cove community have been recognised for their achievements during the history of the Awards: