Community Citizens of the Year Announced
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Each year, the City of Rockingham’s Community Citizen of the Year Awards acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of people and organisations within the local community.
Held at the Gary Holland Community Centre on Australia Day as part of the City’s largest annual Citizenship Ceremony, the 2025 Awards recognised outstanding contributions from three local residents and one local organisation, selected from 39 worthy nominees across four categories.
The Community Citizen of the Year Award went to Stephenie Fielding. A dedicated volunteer for a variety of organisations and initiatives, she previously served as Chairperson and Board Member for the Warnbro Community Family Centre and currently serves as Treasurer for the Catalpa Adventure Festival and Team Manager for the BIZLINK Flames All Abilities Basketball Team. Stephenie continues to give her time to a variety of community organisations and causes.
Senior Community Citizen of YearThe Senior Community Citizen of Year is Gordon Murdoch. He established the Golden Bay Community Garden and secured more than $48,000 in grants and sponsorships for the creation of wicking beds, a food forest, a shed, irrigation systems, and more. As a retired school principal, Gordon’s passion for sustainability and education built a thriving garden and fostered learning, friendships, and well-being within Golden Bay.
Young Community Citizen of YearThe Young Community Citizen of Year winner was Mia Hendy. She has made a very positive impact during four years of service with the City of Rockingham Youth Reference Group, where she represented and advocated for the needs of young people in our community. Mia is also a dedicated volunteer with the East Fremantle Football Club.
Active Citizenship AwardThe Active Citizenship Award went to Cycling Without Age, a volunteer-led initiative that took the elderly and less-mobile members of our community on scenic journeys through parks, along the waterfront, and along Rockingham’s cycle paths. These rides not only give the participants the simple joy of cycling, they foster social interaction, community connection, and a renewed sense of freedom for those who may otherwise feel isolated.
City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin said it was a privilege to present the community Citizen of the Year Awards.
“Meeting these generous and selfless people who put so much time, effort and heart into the work they do is truly humbling. Rockingham is blessed to have people who are willing to do so much. I thank them, and all the very worthy nominees, for the outstanding work they do to enhance the lives of others in our community,” Mayor Hamblin said.