Local legends honoured at Australia Day awards
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A number of the city’s most inspirational citizens have been recognised overnight for their outstanding contribution to the community at the annual City of Gold Coast Australia Day awards.
Mayor Tom Tate said he was honoured to meet the award recipients and thanked them for their contribution to the community.
“The Australia Day awards recognise excellence in community service, sporting, environmental and cultural endeavours, as well as naming the Gold Coast Citizen of the Year and Gold Coast Young Citizen of the Year,” he said.
“Each of these citizens has helped make the Gold Coast an even greater place to live.
“On behalf of the city, I’d like to thank these local legends for their ongoing commitment to the Gold Coast – your hard work and dedication to our city does not go unnoticed.”
Director and research lead at Griffith University Institute for Glycomics, Professor Mark von Itzstein AO FAA FAHMS FRACI, was the recipient of the Gold Coast Citizen of the Year award. The Institute for Glycomics has become one of the nation’s flagship multidisciplinary biomedical research institutes, providing the city with international recognition and raising the Gold Coast’s profile as a leader in education and research in the field of Glycomics.
Teenager Amelia Anderson was awarded the Young Citizen of the Year for her commitment to the community through extensive volunteer work and fundraising efforts.
The 92.5 Triple M Community Service Award went to Ormeau Progress Association’s President Judy Hendrikx who will celebrate her 40th anniversary in the role this year.
World champion archer Richard Peters was recognised for his dedication to the sport and commitment to his local archery club by securing the Sports Achievement Award.
The Cultural Achievement Award was awarded to Aarti Bajaj, artistic director of Gold Coast based production company Wild Dreamer Productions, who is helping grow the Gold Coast arts and culture scene.
City of Gold Coast’s very own Saraya Robinson took out the Environmental Achievement Award for her work engaging more than 14,000 individuals across the city with activities and programs aimed at conserving and exploring our natural environment.