Lifelong volunteer recognised with top award

Black Rock resident and 'Pink Lady' Joan McLean was announced as Bayside’s Citizen of the Year today as part of an Australia Day Awards ceremony held at Sandringham Yacht Club.

The award was presented to Mrs McLean in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Bayside over more than 65 years of volunteering in a variety of roles.

At 84, Mrs McLean is in her 31st year of volunteering as a Sandringham Hospital 'Pink Lady'. She has volunteered throughout her life including with local Cub groups for 16 years and ‘Meals on Wheels’ for more than 30 years. She was a Red Cross Blood donor for 30+ years.

Bayside Mayor, Cr Michael Heffernan congratulated Mrs McLean and said the award recognises her ongoing commitment to helping others over many years.

“Joan has given tirelessly of herself since the age of 19, donating her time, energy and even blood to help others. She is to be commended on her continuing dedication to her community and contribution to making Bayside a better place for all of the community,” he said.

“As a Sandringham Hospital Pink Lady Joan is continuing to help others at a time in her life when she could be forgiven for taking it easy”, Cr Heffernan said. “She is an outstanding member of our community.”

“All the individuals and organisations recognised through these awards are making an wonderful contribution to our Bayside community and can be rightly proud of their achievement,” Cr Heffernan said.

The 2019 Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Ms Stella Wadeson for her advocacy on behalf of young people in Bayside and as a peer supporter for South Goulburn Island indigenous exchange students at St Leonard’s College.

Community Event of the Year Award went to the Bayside 100th Anniversary of Armistice Commemorative Service at Green Point, Brighton Beach.

The awards also included two specifically for contributions to Bayside’s natural environment.

The Individual Environmental Award was presented to Ms Elizabeth Walsh for championing the cause of Bayside’s wildlife and habitat for many decades.

Boomerang Bags Bayside took out the Organisational Environmental Award for raising awareness of plastics pollution and creating more than 4,000 recycled fabric bags as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic bags.