Citizenship Awards

 

Do you know an outstanding volunteer, teacher, business owner, friend or neighbour? Nominate them now for the 2023 Citizenship Awards or Neighbour Day Award.

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.

1. Young Achiever - a resident of Lane Cove, aged 12 to 25, for achievement in any facet of life.

2. Music/Culture/Art - a resident of Lane Cove who, as a musician, artist, director, craftsperson, writer, actor, dancer, cultural performer/artist, student, teacher or administrator, has made a significant contribution to the community or had significant achievement in their field.

3. Sport - a resident of Lane Cove, who as an athlete, coach, administrator, etc. has made a significant contribution to the community or had significant achievement in their field.

4. Workplace General – anyone who works in Lane Cove, whether as employer or employee and has made a significant contribution to the community or had significant achievement in their field.

5. Community Service – a resident of Lane Cove who as a volunteer or administrator has made a significant contribution to the community, or had significant achievement in their field.  (Note:  This is a very popular category.  Consider nominating your candidate in another category if another is suitable.)

6. Access and Disability – an individual, business or organisation that has made a significant contribution to addressing access concerns in the Lane Cove community or improving the quality of life for people with disabilities by promoting high standards of access.

7. Sustainable Citizen - an award to an individual in the Lane Cove LGA who has made a significant contribution or had significant achievement in economic, social, cultural or environmental sustainability.

8. Sustainable Organisation - an award to an organisation such as a business, school or community group in the Lane Cove LGA that has made a significant contribution or had significant achievement in economic, social or environmental sustainability. 

9. Sustainable Development – an award to a development in the Lane Cove LGA that has made a significant contribution or had significant achievement in raising local awareness of sustainability in the built environment

10. Leadership – a resident of Lane Cove who provides leadership or is a role-model to others within Lane Cove.

11. Outstanding Business of Lane Cove - the criteria is excellence in business and a significant contribution to the community.  The process for nominations and assessment is as follows:-

• Businesses located anywhere within the Lane Cove local government area are eligible for nomination. 

• Any type of business is eligible: a medical practice, home occupation, retailer, industry etc

• Any member of the community may make a nomination.

12. Citizen of the Year - a resident of Lane Cove who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to Lane Cove, or a resident of Lane Cove who is an outstanding achiever or an eminent resident of Lane Cove who contributes to community identity and pride.

Neighbour Day Award – “Neighbours Every Day” is Relationships Australia’s social connection campaign promoting the benefits of social connection and building capacity for all to make and maintain respectful relationships – year-round. This award is for a resident of Lane Cove who is a great neighbour. A person who has gone above and beyond to support their neighbourhood with an initiative, act of kindness and who promotes social connection. 

In addition to the above categories, the Selection Committee may award discretionary categories for those who have made a significant contribution to the Lane Cove community but may not reside in Lane Cove. These are generally for long-standing or exceptional contributions.

Nominations close: Wednesday 1 March 2023 (Neighbour Day Award extended to 12 March, 2023

Presentation Evening: Wednesday 17 May 2023

©Photo by Matthew Duchesne

Volunteers celebrated at Lane Cove Citizenship Awards - 2021 recipients (presented in 2022)

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: