Recognising our wonderful residents

Published on 02 February 2021

Mayor Frank Carbone and Councillors smiling and posing with 2021 Fairfield City Council Australia Day Community Award winners

Every year, Council celebrates Australia Day by coming together and recognising the amazing work done by our residents at our Australia Day Community Awards.

I would like to congratulate all this year’s winners and nominees for the outstanding work they do in the community, especially:

  • Tom Murphy - Citizen of the Year
  • Horsley Park Rural Fire Service - Volunteers of the Year
  • Emily Khochaba - Young Citizen of the Year; and
  • Aleks Duricic - Sports Achiever of the Year 

I know how hard all our winners and nominees work to make our City the great place that it is. Well done on winning this year’s awards.

Australia Day is a day that we reflect on our national journey and celebrate everything that is great about our country. This includes mateship, helping each other out and giving everyone a fair go. Each year, I am amazed at the countless hours of hard work and selfless acts that so many in our community put in every day. It always makes choosing our award winners such a difficult task.

This year was no exception. 

One thing that has been very clear is that from the devastation of the bushfires, to the challenges of COVID-19, many in our City did whatever they could to help the less fortunate. For some, it was the simple but important act of checking in on a neighbour or helping them with their shopping. Others helped sew face masks at Whitlam Library to be given to vulnerable residents.

This is on top of the thousands of volunteering hours that take place in our City every year running local charities, sports clubs, scout groups, youth groups, outreach programs, meals on wheels, soup kitchens, Rural Fire Service, SES and many more. These programs and groups simply could not run without the generosity of volunteers.

I’m proud to be Mayor of a City that puts others ahead of themselves. Unfortunately, we can’t give out Australia Day certificates recognising each and every one of you, but please know that all your hard work and sacrifice does not go unnoticed, and is greatly appreciated.

This year there will be plenty to do as we continue to work as a City to overcome the challenges of COVID-19 while continuing to make our City such a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. I encourage everyone to take the time in the coming weeks and months to consider how you can make a difference to the lives of others.

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