Blacktown’s Australia Day Awards

Published on 26 January 2019

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP has described the commitment to the community shown by all the nominees for this year’s Australia Day Awards as outstanding.

Mayor Bali made the comment at the Blacktown City Australia Day Awards presentation which followed Saturday’s Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony.

“The outstanding level of achievement and dedication displayed by all the nominees is a true reflection of the great people we have living in our City,” Mayor Bali said.

Mayor Bali presented four Australia Day Awards:

Citizen of the Year Draz Brkljac, President of Blacktown Police Citizens Youth Club

“Draz works tirelessly with young offenders and youth at risk in the Blacktown area and truly deserves the title of our Citizen of the Year, “Mayor Bali said.

Draz developed The Stand Tall program providing those with fewer opportunities pathways to employment.

“He instils positive life goals to young people helping them complete education, obtain employment, develop life skills and attempt to influence a positive upbringing.”

Young Citizen of the Year Patrick Gleeson, Glenwood High School

“Patrick was the youngest appointed Blacktown Youth Ambassador for 2016-2017, performing this role with distinction and representing the City’s youth at major events,” Mayor Bali said.

Patrick created a ‘mini-Olympics’ for students with special needs and through his coaching has seen a number of those athletes progress to the State competition level. He instigated a program of teaching Indonesian at Lalor Park public school and tutored students in his school’s after-school Homework Centre. He was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and has created the Ignite Youth Leadership Forum uniting youth in Blacktown in a program of leadership, skills development and public speaking.

Patrick is also a gifted athlete, competing at the highest level in Shot Put, while at the same time coaching kids at Little Athletics.

Patrick has been involved with many charities such as Foodbank, Relay for Life, Mahobas Promise, Movember, Paying it Forward, Pink Ribbon and Salvation Army. In 2018, he received the Department of Defence Long Tan Leadership Award.

Environment Citizen of the Year Ariana Goanta, Hebersham Public School

“Ariana is the founder of Ariana's Ark which she started in 2016 to highlight marine issues. Along the way she has been a champion of issues including plastics pollution and the need for recycling,” Mayor Bali said.

Twelve-year old Ariana introduced a Return and Earn scheme at her school earning her an Environmental Officer Award.

Ariana is also involved in the education of those around her on marine issues and the importance of the health of oceans. She is an active campaigner amongst her peers and in her community on the need for rubbish reduction.

Community Event of the Year Blacktown City Lions Club, Drought Relief

Blacktown City Lions have been undertaking fund raising activities to assist our drought stricken farmers. These were done in collaboration with Flower Power Prospect, Mount Druitt Lions and Riverstone Lions and involved BBQs, bucket collections and lucky numbers.

In October, Lions members visited Quirindi as part of Council’s drought assistance tour of Sister Cities partner, Liverpool Plains Shire. Club President Rebel Hanlon presented a cheque for $8,500 to Quirindi Country Women’s Association drought relief fund.

In addition to this, Blacktown City Lions has contributed to the 2018 Mayoress Appeal by donating toys to be distributed to kids in need.  A further $1,200 has been forwarded to the Country Women’s Association to provide restaurant in the Liverpool Plains Shire to enable families to enjoy a festive meal.

Picture: Australia Day Award Winners: (from left) Paul Fenech (Australia Day Ambassador), Draz Brkljac,Rachael Hanlon, Ariana Goanta, Rebel Hanlon, Mayor Stephen Bali MP, Jim Kelly, Patrick Gleeson.Rachael and Rebel Hanlon and Jim Kelly accepted the Community Event Award on behalf of Blacktown City Lions Club.