2020 Australia Day Award winners announced

Andy has dedicated his time for many years to helping local companion animals and their owners in our community.

Andy spends his free time walking the local streets looking for lost pets, scanning their microchips and caring for the pet until the owner is found. He uses the opportunity to educate pet owners on desexing and microchipping.

He has never asked for help or recognition for his work, and is an example of a quiet achiever who is focused on helping others.

Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone presented five major awards in four categories to outstanding community members at the annual Australia Day Community Awards ceremony today at Prairiewood Leisure Centre.

The winners were:

Andy Snook – Fairfield Citizen of The Year Blanca Assunta Barrios – Young Citizen of The Year Kath Whiteley – Volunteer of The Year Douglas Draper – Volunteer of The Year, and Fabian Monge – Sports Achiever of the Year

Also recognised were medallion and certificate recipients in honour of their contribution to the community.

Medallion recipients were:

Young Citizen of the Year: Lachlan Hyde. Volunteer of the Year: Amy Melville. Sports Achiever of the Year Medallion recipients: Thomas Lopez and Botille Vette-Welsh.

Certificate recipients were:

Citizen of the Year: Frety Adris, Cora Bojarski, Matthew Dillon, Sonia Giwargis Bashar Hanna, Milan Maksimovic, Nadar Namo, Wasen Namo and Ramsen Shallow.      Young Citizen of the Year: Thanh Luong, Shawn Spina and Anita Woodward. Volunteer of the Year: Joseph Briffa and Philimon Darmo. Sports Achiever of the Year Certificate recipients: Alice Lee, David Lee, Isaac Silva and Lindsay Tui.

Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone said the Australia Day Community Awards are held each year to recognise and pay tribute to all those who dedicate their time and effort into making Fairfield City a better community for all.

“Their dedication and commitment should be an example to us all,” Mayor Carbone said.

“Our winners often go about their business quietly, but I’d like to publicly thank all these community achievers, and recognise their tireless efforts on our special national day.

“I congratulate Andy Snook, Blanca Assunta Barrios, Kath Whiteley, Douglas Draper and Fabian Monge on their wonderful achievements.”

During the ceremony a special presentation was held to honour the memories of Horsley Park Rural Fire Service members Geoff Keaton and Andrew O’Dwyer. Mr Keaton and Mr O’Dwyer tragically lost their lives on Thursday 19 December while on duty fighting an out of control bushfire in Sydney’s south-west.

“Mr O’Dwyer and Mr Keaton exemplify true courage and heroism. They fought to protect the lives, properties and livelihoods of people they had never met,” Mayor Carbone said.

“They voluntarily served the community they loved daily. They stood up without hesitation in the face of danger and against insurmountable odds.

“We extend our condolences and our heartfelt thanks to the families, friends and colleagues of Mr Keaton and Mr O’Dwyer.”

Mayor Carbone also thanked Horsley park Rural Fire Service and the NSW Rural Fire Service, who have fought tirelessly and selflessly for months to protect families and properties.

Representatives for Horsley Park Rural Fire Service and the NSW Rural Fire Service were on hand to receive the special memorial plaques.

2020 Citizen of the Year: Andy Snook

Andy dedicates his time to helping local companion animals and their owners in our community.

Of his own volition, Andy spends his free time walking the local streets looking for lost pets, scanning their microchips and caring for the dog until the owner is found. He uses the opportunity to educate pet owners on desexing and microchipping.

He has never asked for help or recognition for his work, and is an example of a quiet achiever who is focused on helping others.

2020 Young Citizen of the Year: Blanca Assunta Barrios

Blanca volunteers her time generously through her school and church. She is involved with Early Bird Reading sessions for a local primary school and helps set up activities at her school’s festivals both during and beyond school hours.

She volunteers for the catechist program at the local primary school and attends bingo at the Marconi Club while on school holidays, as she loves the camaraderie of older generations.

2020 Volunteer of the Year: Kath Whiteley 

Kath is a founding member of Mounties from 1964 and life member. Over the past 47 years, she has dedicated her time to various Mounties sports including softball, cricket, netball, lawn bowls and ballroom dancing.

She has held and continues to hold many of the executive positions of each of the Mounties sport sub clubs. Positions held include president and treasurer. She is a life member of many of them. She has also been involved with Liverpool City Netball Club for 57 years and is currently its president.

2020 Volunteer of the Year: Douglas Draper 

Douglas has been a dedicated volunteer to the community for the past 15 years with the Western Sydney Cycling Network of which he is a founding member and life member. In that time, he has held various positions including president, media officer and ride coordinator. He has also volunteered his time recycling bikes, arranging ride events to raise funds for the Heart Foundation, breast cancer research and other charitable organisations. He is involved in programs to help prevent obesity in children and educates them in road safety. He has donated many hours in picking up unwanted bikes from all over Sydney for reuse and helps organise regular bike sales.  

2020 Sports Achiever of the Year: Fabian Monge

Fabian is a football player who has excelled in the sport. He featured in the Wanderers Y-League campaign last season and was recently promoted to the Wanderers A-League team on a scholarship. Fabian won the National Youth League Player of the Year in 2019. He is also a current member of the Socceroos under 20s side. In August, he travelled to Vietnam for the ASEAN Football Federation tournament with the Young Socceroos, winning the Championship title with a 1-0 victory over Malaysia.