Meet Your 2024 Darebin Community Award Winners!
Every year the Darebin Community Awards highlights the wonderful and impactful contributions our community members make to the City of Darebin. The annual Darebin Community Awards Presentation Night was held on 15 September at Ngarrindjeri Stadium as part of the FUSE Spring Festival program.
A highlight was the Indigenous Outreach Projects Hip Hop group who performed and encouraged everyone to join them dancing! It was a truly memorable evening for the Darebin community.
Here is a snapshot of your local heroes!
Citizen of the Year - Kate Jost
President of Friends of Edwardes Lake, a local environmental group that preserves, restores and cares for the ecosystems of Edwardes Lake, Edgars Creek wetlands and part of Edgars creek.
Citizen of the Year (Special Commendation) - David Malone
Volunteer tutor with the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) in the Young Adult Migrant Education Course and works with youths from refugee backgrounds and neurodiverse learners.
Young Citizen of the Year - Isabella Pingitore
Involved in community programs and volunteers with Fairshare to produces food for people in need. She is also involved in events at William Ruthven College that counter racism and build community cohesion.
Youth of the Year (Special Commendation) - Thomas Taylor
An activist for the interests of young people, and member of Darebin Young Citizens Jury, a school sports champion, year level captain, mentor leader and School Council student member.
Youth of the Year (Special Commendation) - Minnie O’Sullivan
A strong voice for female participation in sport. Her work led to the development of several junior girls’ cricket teams and the first ever Holy Trinity Girls Cricket team premiership in 2019.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Joint Leaders of the Year - Commissioner Travis Lovett and Aunty Rieo Ellis
A proud Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man, Travis has worked to improve the rights and lives of Aboriginal people in youth services, justice and the not-for-profit sector. He is currently the Commissioner of Victoria’s truth-telling process in the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
A proud Waka Waka Bundjalung woman, Aunty Rieo is co-founder of Grandmothers Against Removals – Victoria. Her grassroots activism and ability to navigate bureaucratic systems make her a lifeline for countless families in crisis.
Community Group of the Year - Volunteers at Darebin Information Volunteers Resource Service (DIVRS)
Community volunteers that deliver a range of services through the power of volunteerism to build community capacity through connection, relationships and shared resources.
Group of the Year (Special Commendation) - Gurwidj Neighbourhood House Women's Group
Awarded special commendation for creating an inclusive space for First Nations community members to feel culturally safe and yarn, be creative, and share stories and lived experiences.
Lifetime Achievement Award - Lisa Cappola
Worked with hundreds of children over the last 25 years and focuses on young people and reuniting families. Honored with the CREATE Award at the 2017 Protecting Vulnerable Children Awards.
CALD Elder Community Leader of the Year - Ngoc Hanh Le
President of IERA (Indochinese Elderly Refugees Association). Her group helps older people with technology and English classes to keep them up to date in a rapidly changing information age.
Sustainability Award - Ryan Robertson (awarded posthumously)
Played a lead role in the development and delivery of the Friends of Darebin Creek Reach 4 restoration project. Sadly, he unexpectedly lost his life to an aggressive form of lung cancer in 2020.
Nominations for the 2025 Darebin Community Awards will open in May 2025, contact Bronwyn for more information on 8470 8551 or email fuse@darebin.vic.gov.au
Photography - Nicole Cleary Photography
