Sutherland Shire Council has announced the 2019 Australia Day Awards, recognising the most outstanding Citizen, Young Citizen and Community Group of the Year.
The winners, Bronwyn Afflick (Citizen of the Year), Hayden Charles (Young Citizen of the Year) and Horizon Youth (Community Group of the Year) were selected from a large group of deserving nominees and announced at a ceremony on Wednesday 5 December, 2018 at Sutherland Entertainment Centre.
Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Carmelo Pesce said the awards provide an opportunity for Sutherland Shire residents and community groups to be recognised for the important work they do.
"On behalf of the entire Sutherland Shire community, I congratulate the 2019 winners and of course, all of the deserving nominees for this year's awards," he said.
"Our Australia Day awards are one important way we can pay tribute to the commitment and dedication of individuals and groups across Sutherland Shire that go above and beyond to support our community.
"We have a strong sense of community spirit and I can't go without thanking those who took the time to nominate their fellow community members for 2019."
2019 Citizen of the Year
Sutherland Shire's 2019 Citizen of the Year is Bronwyn Afflick, who started her career as a nurse and for over 20 years has been providing quality care for those with disability in the local area. Bronwyn has been an active member of Surf Life Saving Association for over 25 years and has volunteered with a number of organisations, such as the Special Olympics and Sailability and has initiated several community projects including Ring of Roses and Swagtember. Bronwyn is a single mother, has fostered around 20 children and has received the Sydney Leadership Award and Cook Community Award. Aside from working full-time and running her business, New Era, Bronwyn also volunteers in the Sutherland Shire community and helps people with disability to also volunteer.
2019 Young Citizen of the Year
Sutherland Shire's Young Citizen of the Year for 2019 is Hayden Charles, who is a volunteer with the State Emergency Services and Youth Reference Group at Headspace Miranda. He has also volunteered at local community events, such as the Sutherland Shire Youth Week event and Beach to Burbs. Hayden has participated in a number of initiatives in 2018 including being an active member of Council's Youth Council, and was involved in a working group for a grant application to help disengaged young people reach employment goals. Hayden has also been a Youth leader at Sylvania Uniting Church, an Ambassador for Uniting Church Camp, Yurora, and the Aboriginal Representative for Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.
2019 Community Group of the Year
The winner of the 2019 Community Group of the year is Horizon Youth, a program held each Friday for hundreds of teenagers. Horizon Youth welcome all young people and their leaders, who are all in their 20s, mentor and assist participants by encouraging and supporting them. The program is run as a safe space, being drug and alcohol free. Each week the program consists of several different segments including a chance to interact with people the same age and gender in 'lifegroup', live music, games and motivational speakers on topics such as resilience, overcoming adversity, encouragement, hope, the potential and future of young people, and placing value on the lives of young people.
