Hilton community champion named Freo's Citizen of the Year
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A community champion who for many years has worked with Hilton locals to inspire, educate and inform them on how to create healthier and happier places to live, work and play has been named Fremantle Citizen of the Year for 2022.
Maureen Maher, co-convenor of the Hilton Precinct Group, was presented with the honour by Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge at an awards ceremony at the WA Maritime Museum this morning.
Mayor Fitzhardinge described Maureen as an inspirational leader who had an innate ability to identify opportunities to bring people together and form positive relationships across diverse groups.
“Maureen has a passion for collaborating on creative projects that bring people together to enable a greater sense of wellbeing and belonging, and connect people to their local community in meaningful ways,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.
“She values the power of sharing stories to help community understand each other, and to be informed and inspired.
“Some of Maureen’s initiatives include the Hilton Primary School breakfast program, the Cooking from Home cross-cultural cooking program, the Hilton Magical Mystery Tram Tour, The Garden Party Collective, the creation of the Hilton Pocket Park and the Neighbourhood Connect program – to name but a few!
“I’m thrilled that many of her projects have been supported with Community Grants from the City of Fremantle, and I’m delighted she’s been recognised as Fremantle Citizen of the Year.”
Fremantle’s Senior Citizen of the Year is Philip Lansell, for his ongoing and unwavering support of the Fremantle Community Legal Centre.
For more than 15 years Phil has generously given his time and legal expertise to the Fremantle community by volunteering as a pro-bono lawyer with the Fremantle Community Legal Centres' evening legal service. He specialises in assisting with complex legal matters, and over his time with FCLC has helped almost 400 clients.
Young Citizen of the Year Allie Messenger is an enthusiastic member of the Fremantle Youth Network, as well as an advocate for the Youth Pride Network and a member of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition. She also volunteers across many community events and workshops to support rainbow youth.
PortCare Inc, under the leadership of Charlie Riccardo, was awarded the Active Citizenship Award for their efforts in supporting people in need, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PortCare services include free community lunches, an Op Shop selling clothing, furniture, household items and bric-a-brac at a fraction of the retail cost, making and delivering meals and groceries to people and providing fuel vouchers and food hampers to those in need.
Caption:(left to right) Community volunteers Felicity Newman and Mary Barton with the City of Fremantle's Marie Tassone, Fremantle Citizen of the Year Maureen Maher and Hilton Primary School Principal Carmel Bochnek preparing a Hilton Primary School breakfast last year.