News

Winners

Young Citizen of the Year

Kayleigh Greig

Kayleigh is only 12 years of age and is already an active wildlife ambassador. Her various roles include membership of Sydney Wildlife, a volunteer for Southern Cross Wildlife Care and a member of the Wildlife Roadkill Prevention Association.  She’s also negotiating with Ernst & Young to establish a wildlife ambulance and clinic.

Pittwater Sportsperson of the Year

Charlie Brooks & Alyse Saxby

Charlie Brooks

Charlie is a highly accomplished member of the Newport Surf Life Saving Club. Last year he won medals at local and state events with 5 gold and 2 silver medals at the Australian Championships, earning him the title of ‘Male Athlete of the Carnival’. This year he also represented Australia in the Youth Surf Life Saving team.

Alyse Saxby

Alyse has represented Australia at the World Games for Special Olympics three times. This year she won a gold medal in Sailing Level 3 at the World Games in Los Angeles with her sailing partner and coach on board. She was also a finalist for Sailor of the Year with a Disability at the 2015 Yachting Australia Awards.

Pittwater Citizen of the Year for 2015

Romilly Madew

Romilly is a passionate advocate for sustainable living, holding positions of both the Deputy President of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council and is the CEO of the Green Buildings Council of Australia. Romilly is the first Independent Chair of the Currawong State Park Advisory Board (NSW) and as President of Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club is a well-respected member of the Pittwater community.
 

Citizen of the Year – Special mention

Michelle Heaton-Armstrong

A special mention was given to Michelle Heaton-Armstrong for her work with ‘Fight on the Beaches’. Michelle is the driving force behind the ‘Fight on the Beaches’ charity that has seen a staggering $326,000 raised for cancer research.

Nominees

Citizen of the Year

Helen Howes
Helen has been a volunteer at Manly Warringah Pittwater Community Aid Service for almost three years. She is known for her hard work, big heart and reliability. She not only cares for elderly people but makes a huge difference in the lives of younger clients with a disability.

Rodney Austin
Rodney played an important role in bringing about the construction of a footpath connecting Avalon and Clareville Beach. This pedestrian-friendly addition to the local area is due in part to his drive and determination.

Tony Tenney
Tony is President of Pittwater Forever, an organisation made up of 18 residential groups. Pittwater Forever provided a strong and unified voice for those fighting against council amalgamations during 2015.

Geoff Searl
Geoff is a passionate Northern Beaches resident who has spent hours writing a detailed account of Avalon’s history. From interviews with local identities to unique photographs, this nominee has created an invaluable record of this unique village. An active member of the community, this nominee contributes heavily to the work of many local organisations.

Lynette and David Millett
This dynamic duo was nominated for their huge contribution to the wildlife organisation WIRES. On call 7 days a week, they work tirelessly rescuing animals, often bringing them home where they nurse them back to health. They are known for their strong work ethic and love of all animals.

Michelle Heaton-Armstrong
The amazing ‘Fight on the Beaches’ charity has raised a fantastic $326,000 for Cure Cancer Australia. The charity comprises a team of eight hardworking women. Michelle Heaton-Armstrong is the driving force behind the charity.

Lisa Routledge
An integral member of the ‘Fight on the Beaches’ charity, Lisa worked tirelessly managing the venue and all the responsibilities for the ‘Fight on the Beaches’ Ball.

Danielle Hobbs
Danielle was responsible for the auction and audio/visual elements for the Fight on the Beaches ‘Christmas in July Ball’. Her hard work paid off with the auction alone raising $70,000. 

Carol Chaffer
A busy working mum, Carol works as committee secretary for the Fight on the Beaches charity and is a great support to the organisation.

Stacey Mitchell
As sponsorship co-ordinator for the ‘Fight on the Beaches’ committee Stacey raised $34,500 just through sponsorship for the Christmas in July Ball.

Alison Guesdon
Alison wears many hats in a volunteer capacity at Pittwater Online News; from editor to photographer, writer to proprietor. This publication provides newsworthy information about Pittwater to locals and those further afield.

Jacqui Marlow 
A busy mother of three who also works full-time and volunteers for the Wildlife Roadkill Prevention Association. Her responsibilities range from checking the pouches of dead wallabies for joeys late at night, to lobbying to help reduce roadkill numbers. This work has paid off resulting in new fauna fences on the Wakehurst Parkway.

Jayne Denshire.
Jayne is project manager for the incredibly popular Avalon Art Carnival. Her role included managing the promotion and logistical aspects of this highly successful event. This year, the Avalon Art Carnival attracted more than 50,000 visitors over two weeks.

James Devitt
James oversees all aspects of the community station - Radio Northern Beaches. He’s volunteered for over 10 years as a program presenter, board member and now Chairman. He has been instrumental in the station’s transition to its new site in Terrey Hills.

Belinda-Jane Hunt
Belinda is a well-respected local grief counsellor. Her compassion was evident when she organised a public forum in Avalon after the loss of a young man to suicide.  Her support of community and family members was invaluable.

Janet Forrester
Janet has worked tirelessly as a volunteer communications manager for the community organisations Clareville and Bilgola Residents Association and Pittwater Forever. She has lobbied MPs, written strategic papers, developed marketing videos, all for the benefit of the Pittwater community.

Toby Jay
Over the past 13 years Toby has given up his time and used his own barge to complete offshore collections for Clean Up Australia Day. Last year he even gave up a long awaited reunion with mates that he hadn’t seen for many years to continue his amazing work on this important day.

Sue Brandenburg
Sue was a respected teacher for 35 years. She also volunteered time and energy outside school hours coaching a variety of sporting teams over the past 22 years.  Involved in netball and softball, this nominee has not only been a highly successful coach but a mentor to many young people.

Ros Marsh 
Ros was a recent president of the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber where she liaised with Council through the Enliven Program. A quiet achiever, this nominee has helped organise a number of community events including Carols by the Sea and Avalon Market Day. She is a true networker, often inspiring others to volunteer in the community.

David Owen
David is the President of Clareville and Bilgola Residents’ Association or CABPRA. He has been active in a variety of campaigns by writing letters and meeting with MPs to lobby for better transport in Pittwater. This nominee is a doer and a skilled project manager.

Rick Shires
Rick has been involved in the Scouts movement since he was a child. He has served as a leader for over 33 years, inspiring and mentoring hundreds of scouts on the Northern Beaches.  A passionate environmentalist, he has worked closely with the Coastal Environment Centre and Pittwater Council in the area of bush regeneration. He is also a dedicated fireman.

Frank Haviland
Frank works as a volunteer Marine Rescue Watch Officer with Marine Rescue’s Terrey Hills Unit operating a 24/7 radio safety service for recreational boaters. He currently holds the Marine Rescue NSW 10 year service medal as well as a National Medal for this work with the PNG Police force.

Kim Hubner
Kim is President of Living Ocean, a charity that promotes the protection of oceans by reducing the human impact on this precious part of our world. One of her biggest contributions has been inspiring businesses to go plastic bag-free, replacing them with the reusable ‘Boomerang’ bags.

Romilly Madew
Our next nominee is the CEO of the Green Buildings Council of Australia. This local resident is passionate about inspiring governments and individuals to create sustainable buildings and communities. Clearly not busy enough she is also President of the Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club and the very first Independent Chair of the Currawong State Park Advisory Board of NSW.

Lorrie Morgan
Lorrie is a passionate advocate for community arts in Pittwater. She is the President of Pittwater Community Arts, an artist in her own right and has been the driving force behind the Pittwater Artists Trail since it began in 2011. This nominee, along with the late Pittwater Mayor Harvey Rose, also initiated a collection of poetry from Pittwater residents.

Pittwater Young Citizen of the Year

Danelle Kelliher
Danelle is a Pittwater High School student who spends her spare time volunteering as a Junior Leader for the 2nd Mona Vale Junior Guides. She has shown exceptional leadership qualities and is a great role model for younger children.

Ned Williams
Ned worked as a carpenter for Community Aid for over four years. He also works closely with frail aged and younger residents with a disability. In August this year, this impressive young man’s calm, caring nature and quick thinking saved the life of an elderly gentleman who had collapsed.

Kayleigh Greig
Kayleigh is only 12 years of age and is already an active wildlife ambassador. Her various roles include membership of Sydney Wildlife, a volunteer for Southern Cross Wildlife Care and a member of the Wildlife Roadkill Prevention Association.  She’s also negotiating with Ernst & Young to establish a wildlife ambulance and clinic.

Pittwater Sportsperson of the Year

Charlie Brooks
Charlie is a highly accomplished member of the Newport Surf Life Saving Club. This year he won medals at local and state events with 5 gold and 2 silver medals at the Australian Championships, earning him the title of ‘Male Athlete of the Carnival’. This year he also represented Australia in the Youth Surf Life Saving team.

Sam Bloom  
Sam became a paraplegic after a terrible accident. After working hard in rehabilitation, she started training and has now become part of the Australian Para-canoe Sprint Team, representing her country in Milan last year. She is a fabulous role model and an inspiration for all of us.

Shellie Davis
Shellie represented New South Wales and Australia in Touch Football. She was captain of the Under 20s Trans-Tasman winning national team. Our nominee has also been officially recognised for her part in Manly Warringah Sea Eagles State Cup Championship win, receiving the Barry Gibson Perpetual Trophy.

Alyse Saxby
Alyse has represented Australia at the World Games for Special Olympics three times, bringing back the gold medal in sailing on two occasions, along with her sailing partner and coach on board. She was also a finalist for Sailor of the Year with a Disability at the 2015 Yachting Australia Awards.