Photo: Paul Litherland (Auspire Australia Day Ambassador), Dave Mabbs, Lisa Kelly, Mayor Rhys Williams, Joshoa Zilani and Kath Palmer. *Active Citizenship Award for group/event Mandurah Murray Mayday not pictured.
The winners of the 2024 Community Citizen of the Year Awards were announced during Mandurah’s Australia Day celebrations on Friday, 26 January.
The annual awards recognise individuals and groups that have made notable contributions to their communities during the year, and those who have given outstanding service over several years.
Mayor Rhys Williams said this year’s winners had made Mandurah a better place by showing the utmost community spirit and providing support to many people around them.
“The winners of this year’s Community Citizen of the Year Awards are Lisa Kelly, Joshoa Zilani, Kath Palmer, Dave Mabbs and the Mandurah Murray Mayday group – a huge congratulations to you all,” Mayor Williams said.
“Today, we recognise and celebrate the input and contributions of local champions to our community. We thank them for their work and their inspiration to others to do the same.
“These people have been doing amazing things in the community from helping others and showing leadership, to supporting various charities and sharing their knowledge with the wider community. Their dedication is uplifting to many and they are all very deserving of these awards.”
The Community Citizen of the Year Awards are organised by Auspire – the Australia Day Council of Western Australia and have been running since 2003.
Mayor Williams also thanked this year’s Auspire Australia Day Ambassador, Paul Litherland, founder of Surf Online Safe and 2022 WA Australian of the Year. Paul hosts cyber safety presentations at schools, educating teachers, students and parents about internet awareness and safety.
The 2024 Community Citizen of the Year Award winners are:
Community Citizen of the Year: Lisa Kelly
Lisa is the co-founder of Kelly’s Hot Water, which supports various charities and sporting groups with fundraising and sponsorships. A donation to the Cycling Without Age group allowed them to purchase their first trishaw, giving older residents the opportunity to enjoy scenic rides. Lisa’s selflessness and innovative approach has fostered inclusivity and promoted physical and emotional wellbeing among seniors. Lisa is involved in various boards and committees including the Peel Chamber of Commerce, Cycling Without Age, Greenfields Primary School and South Halls Head Primary School.
Community Citizen of the Year – Youth: Joshoa Zilani
Joshoa is currently serving as the Youth Leader of the House in Youth Parliament, as well as Chair of the City of Mandurah’s Youth Advisory Group, which he has been a member since 2020.
With a passion for leadership, Joshoa actively engages with local community issues by being involved in the consultation and implementation of the City’s Youth Strategy, Community Development Strategy and other policies. Joshoa inspires his peers and other students through his own leadership journey and highlights the importance of ‘everyday leadership’.
Community Citizen of the Year – Senior: Kath Palmer and Dave Mabbs (joint winners)
Kath Palmer – Kath is dedicated to helping local people in need, tirelessly fundraising to help families and individuals with food relief and other essential items.
She volunteers, coordinates and promotes the Peel Community Kitchen, and liaises with the City of Mandurah, and local and federal politicians on the housing and homelessness issues.
Dave Mabbs – Dave is a third-generation army veteran who has given years of support to the local community through Mandurah Returned and Services League (RSL). He has given outstanding leadership at the RSL sub-branch, supporting and caring for local veterans and their families. Dave is the current President of the Mandurah RSL and has been a member since 2002.
In 2019, Dave was awarded Life Membership of RSLWA, and has been part of organising and marching in a variety of commemorative days in Mandurah for 17 years. He was also integral to relocating the sub-branch to its current home on Rouse Road. Dave regularly speaks at school assemblies in the Mandurah area, sharing his stories of his 20 years of service, and he also oversees the interview process for Cadets wishing to attend the annual Quiet Lion Tour in Thailand.
Active Citizenship Award – group or event: Mandurah Murray Mayday
The Mandurah Murray Mayday group recently celebrated 50 years of service to the community through the Mayday Op Shops. The group set up its first store in Barragup in 1973, and in 1980 the group welcomed a second location on Davey Street. The group raises around $300,000 per year for local and state-wide charities, schools, organisations and local volunteer fire and rescue services across the Peel region. The group also helped fund Mandurah-raised Tokyo 2020 Olympic Boxer Alex Winwood’s early quests to attend national Championships.
