Civic Awards on Australia Day
High Tea with the Mayor seems like a fine way to spend Australia Day, but that wasn’t all for former Melbourne Citymission Women About client Shaun Hawksworth, who was also presented with a 2012 Maribyrnong City Council Civic Award. This award recognises individuals who donate their time to help others and support the growth of the local community.
For the last seven years, Shaun has been helping out the team at Western Region Health Centre (WRHC), who see her as a ‘great asset to the service.’ With a strong concern for the health and wellbeing of others, Shaun keeps an eye on those in the community around her and has regularly refered people to the health clinic. As a result, she has had a great impact on a number of people's health and wellbeing.
‘Because I know what’s going on in the community, I know when someone has overdosed, or if there are syringes that haven’t been disposed of properly. I can tell the nurses at the Health Centre, so they can deal with it properly,’ Shaun says.
As well as helping her neighbours stay healthy, Shaun has been helping them stay active too. Participating in photography and ceramic workshops and exhibitions as part of the WOMBAT housing services, her enthusiasm has rubbed off on other residents and she has been instrumental in encouraging the participation of other residents.
In addition to Shaun receiving her award, Melbourne Citymission staff member Vivienne Conn (pictured to the left), who works at YEH (Youth Entreprise Hub) in Braybrook, was awarded the 2012 Citizen of the Year Award also at the Maribyrnong Council’s Australia Day Civic Awards.
Vivienne dedicates hours of her own time in various volunteer roles, including co-ordinator of the The Braybrook and Maidstone Neighbourhood House. She also chairs Braybrook, Maidstone and Sunshine Public Tenants Association and co-ordinates a weekly fruit and vegetable distribution for 24 families in need.
On behalf of Melbourne Citymission we extend our congratulations to Shaun and Vivienne for their dedication, hard work and compassion; this is truly a fantastic achievement for both.
Melbourne Citymission
Melbourne Citymission works with people experiencing disadvantage across Melbourne and Victoria. Every week we help thousands of people build a clear pathway away from economic exclusion and social isolation.
Our services support:
- people to find a pathway out of homelessness
- people with a disability to get the resources and support they need to live the life they want
- people to break the cycle of poverty and abuse
- people to find jobs, or enter into education and training.
