Blacktown's Australia Day Awards

Published on 26 January 2020

A food truck operator providing hot meals to the needy, a student representative on the board of Western Sydney University, a woman who has rescued more than 1,500 animals, and a picnic in the park are the recipients of this year’s Blacktown City Australia Day Awards.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM paid tribute to the commitment to the community shown by all the nominees for this year’s Australia Day Awards, describing it as outstanding.

Speaking at the Australia Day presentation of the awards, Mayor Bleasdale said, “The outstanding level of dedication, achievement and community spirit displayed by all award nominees is a true reflection of the great people we have living in our City.”

Mayor Bleasdale presented four Australia Day Awards:

Citizen of the Year Andrew Scott – CEO Carevan Blacktown

Carevan Blacktown began operating in 2011 serving nutritious meals to the needy on the streets of Blacktown. The colourful food van can be seen each and every Tuesday evening outside Lalor Park Library serving hot meals, a cup of tea and a chat to whoever turns up.

Marayong resident Andrew Scott was a member of the original team and became CEO in 2013. He is described as the driving force behind the all-volunteer organisation that takes meals prepared in local schools and donations of fruit and vegetables and provides a weekly meal, company and advice to the homeless and disadvantaged – no questions asked.

In addition to heading the team in the van on two nights out of four, Andrew Scott organises and collects food donations, maintains the van and does most of the administrative work involved in the charity that is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Young Citizen of the Year Rose Lewis – Western Sydney University

Rose Lewis, also from Marayong, has just been elected as the student representative on the Board of Western Sydney University. She was named Outstanding Young Woman of the Year 2019 by Western Sydney Women.

Rose pushes for greater involvement of youth in research, contributing to 26 UNICEF reports as an intern and winning a People’s Choice award for her research on financial literacy in preventing gender-based violence.

Rose has been awarded scholarships to travel to China, South Africa and Thailand to study and attend conferences and is planning to pursue a career in human rights.

Environment Citizen of the Year Salina Giovenco-Ellem – WIRES

Salina Giovenco-Ellem from Quakers Hill has been a volunteer wildlife rescuer for the past four years with the local North West Branch of NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES).

During that time, Salina has rescued approximately 1,600 injured, sick and orphaned native animals and birds from many different species, including threatened and endangered species.

Community Event of the Year International Day for People with Disability – Picnic in the Park

Disability Services Australia (DSA) first hosted Picnic in the Park in 2015 for International Day for People with Disability (IDPwD). Over the years more community and disability services have become part of the event.

The Committee for IDPwD Picnic in the Park represents some 15 community and disability services in Blacktown LGA that all work together to provide a fun and all inclusive event to celebrate International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).

In 2019, 400 community members attended this fabulous free collaborative event at Blacktown Showground.

(from left) Salina Giovenco-Ellem, Rose Lewis, Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM, Andrew Scott, Sue Huxtable Jones and Monique Manning (both from Disability Services Australia).