THE 2023 Australia Day Awards and a citizenship ceremony were the order of the night at a special event held in the function room at the new South East Stadium.
Sorell Council’s annual Australia Day Awards presentation event was strongly supported by the community with more than 100 family, friends and community members attending the event.
The 2023 Australia Day Awards saw Council receive 15 worthy individual and group nominations across the four award categories. These awards are the highest honour Council can bestow on an individual or group for outstanding contribution to their local community.
Mayor Kerry Vincent said the Australia Day Awards event was always positive and one of his favourite events of the year.
“Regardless of your view of Australia Day, our Awards for Sorell give us the opportunity to celebrate some absolutely amazing successes and successful people in our municipality. It’s incredible to hear their stories and recognise the positive impact they have on our community,” Mr Vincent said.
“To hear what our Young Citizen of the Year recipients have been doing at their young age is just amazing. What inspirational young men they are. I congratulate all those nominated and those who were recipients of an award. You should all be very proud of your contribution and achievements.”
The Citizen of the Year award was presented to Craig Boyd and Jessica Ffrost Boyd. “Craig and Jess’s huge contribution to the region extends past their paid work with the South East Tasmania Salvos. They volunteer their time to groups and events to ensure they go ahead and people are supported and well networked. This includes supporting disadvantaged people, youth and other community members experiencing hardship,’’ Mr Vincent said.
Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Joshua Coates and Jordon King. Joshua is a Sorell teenager who became aware of the need for support for refugees fleeing Ukraine into Poland. He has since volunteered in Poland twice. Jordon, 20, has devoted thousands of hours to raise money and awareness for the Royal Hobart Hospital. He has raised about $60,000 for the Children’s Ward through a number of charity events. He has also organised a beauty pageant for his charity, Miss King Talk Charity, which promotes positive body image and confidence in young people.
The Community Event of the Year was awarded to Midway Point Neighbourhood House’s Community Garden Twilight Market and Community Group of the Year went to Okines Community Bike Repair Shed