Celebrating our outstanding citizens
Whyalla City Council is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Citizen of the Year Awards – the individuals and groups who help make Whyalla a great place to live 😍
This year’s winners are:
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Rachel Barlow
SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Helen Bell
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Emily Rawlings
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS: Trudy Robinson
Whyalla Pink Spirits – Breast Cancer Support Group
Darrel Risborg
Filipino Cultural Association Inc
Vickie Hart
Nicole Baker
City of Whyalla Mayor Phill Stone was full of praise for those being recognised.
“These people give their heart and soul to our community and we cannot thank them enough for the difference they make to our city,” Mayor Stone said.
“They don’t expect rewards or accolades – they do it because they are passionate about their community – but it’s important that their tireless efforts don’t go unnoticed.
“Hopefully their passion in going above-and-beyond for the betterment of their city will then help motivate others to do the same.”
These inspirational citizens will be recognised and celebrated separately from the main Australia Day events (occurring at Ada Ryan Gardens), with the awards presented at Council’s Civic Building Chamber from 2pm on Australia Day. This will provide a more formal setting while ensuring there are no weather-related impacts. The ceremony will also include numerous citizenship presentations.
Mr Stone said Council was expecting great support from the winners’ family and friends at the ceremony at the Civic Building.
“For the broader community, you can also view the ceremony via our Facebook livestream,” he said.
“I’d also encourage everyone to be part of our Australia Day celebrations at the Ada Ryan Gardens from 11am-3.30pm – it’s going to be a fantastic day for the community.”
Be sure to head to Council’s website to find all the details of what’s happening throughout the day!
Citizen of the Year Rachel Barlow
Rachel is passionate about improving the Whyalla community, focusing particularly on ensuring adequate support for all people, particularly those with a disability, including her son Jacob.
Rachel has been part of a number of community projects and programs aimed at improving accessibility and inclusivity, including the Beach Wheelchair and Accessible Mat Program; the Changing Places facility at the foreshore; the Whyalla City Council Disability Action and Inclusion Plan; the Whyalla Disability Inclusive Reference Group; Heart Kids; Whyalla Inclusive Sporting Project; Whyalla Access Group; and the My Time Support Group (for parents living with a child with a medical condition or disability) among many others.
Rachel’s advocacy, dedication, empathy and commitment to the disability community – and the community in general – is truly incredible, she will always put others first and has improved the quality of life for many locals as a result.
Senior Citizen of the Year Helen Bell
Helen Bell has been volunteering in Whyalla for nearly 60 years, all without being paid a cent. She is an unassuming, quiet achiever who is an inspiration to all of us that you’re never too old to assist your community.
Starting in 1965 as a volunteer at the Samaritan College canteen, she has gone on to be a driver and office assistant for Disabled People’s International; a shop assistant at Lifeline Shop; assistant at Amaroo Lodge; assistant at Tanderra Craft Village; and a delivery driver for Meals on Wheels – a role she has performed off-and-on since 1976 through to today, at the tender age of 90!
Whenever Helen has noticed a need, she has stepped in to help. As well as her ongoing volunteer roles, this has included numerous fundraising efforts, particularly aimed at assisting children living with a disability. She has been recognised several times, including a Samaritan College Volunteer Award in 2017, and the Rowan Ramsey Volunteer Award for Community Service in 2019.
Young Citizen of the Year Emily Rawlings
Emily is always assisting local youth and acting as a positive role model to help with their development, encouraging them to be actively involved in the community as much as possible.
As well as coordinating the Whyalla Youth Advisory Committee, Emily also sings at a host of local events such as the carols; organises arts and crafts activities for younger children (always supporting local businesses for supplies); acts as a COVID marshal at events; and collects gifts for children as part of the Steel City Toy Run. Emily also took on extra work this year to help make the Christmas Pageant extra special for local youth, designing and constructing three separate floats to ensure there was plenty of variety in the parade.
As well as assisting youth, she is also a regular visitor to the elderly, regularly dressing up and singing to provide them with much-needed entertainment.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
Trudy Robinson
Trudy is an amazingly kind and generous person who is passionate about helping youth reach their potential. She is a valued committee member and volunteer for Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network, also volunteering with the local group INATT (I’m Not Afraid To Talk), while encouraging others to undertake Suicide Prevention and Youth Mental Health First Aid training. Trudy has previously worked at Eyre High School as a Student Services Officer, which included coordinating the Young Mums program, helping young women continue their education.
Whyalla Pink Spirits – Breast Cancer Support Group
Since forming 11 years ago, Whyalla Pink Spirits Breast Cancer Support Group – which is now open to all cancer sufferers – has worked tirelessly to promote breast cancer awareness and fundraise money to be spent in the community for the benefit of all cancer sufferers. They have supplied many items to the Whyalla Hospital, including three Blood Pressure machines, contributing to the Cold Cap Machine, a Blanket Warming Cabinet and an ECG Machine. They have also donated ECG Machines to the ECG Department and the Inpatients Mental Health Ward.
Darrel Risborg
Darrel is a leader and innovator in fundraising and charity for the Whyalla community. His tireless efforts and contribution to the Steel City Toy Run unites local businesses, community organisations, families and children to ensure toys and hampers are distributed to those in the community who are in need at an important time of the year. Darrel is also at the forefront of fundraising for children living with a disability, including specialised equipment and medical treatment overseas, as well as equipment for the Whyalla Special Education Centre.
Filipino Cultural Association Inc
The Filipino Cultural Association Inc (FCA) is Whyalla’s last remaining migrant socio-cultural association, still going strong in providing community service not only to its members, but the broader community. As well as events, the FCA provides education, social and recreational activities, as well as welfare assistance for Filipino-Australians in crisis. Their educational sessions cover topics as broad as social services, depression, team building, cross-cultural communication and remedial English.
Vickie Hart
Vickie is a champion for the safety of local women and children, putting countless hours into establishing The Haven Whyalla. The haven is a one-stop place for at-risk women and their children to get discreet help, support and information on how to work towards a safer future, free from violence. Vickie secured the much-needed funds to establish the hub, along with finding and training volunteers. The hub helps ensure that local women and their children have the same opportunity to feel just as safe and supported as those living closer to Adelaide.
Nicole Baker
Nicole Baker has been working at McDonald’s Whyalla for almost 10 years and continuously gives her all to customer service. Every single shift, she goes out of her way to put a smile on every single customer’s face and helps make a positive difference to their day. Nicole recognises and remembers her regular customers, as well as ensuring new customers are treated like regulars. Customers regularly ask management to pass on feedback for her excellent service, which makes people want to keep coming back.