CELEBRATING CASEY’S OUTSTANDING CITIZENS

The City of Casey recognised and celebrated a record number of outstanding individuals and groups for going above and beyond in their contribution to the community at the 2023 Casey Community Awards.

Announced at a special gala celebration event in January, City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM congratulated all the winners for the well-deserved recognition and thanked each of the nominees for giving their time, passion and energy to help build a stronger community.

The 2023 Winners

Casey Citizen of the Year – Jo Ann Fitzgerald

Jo Ann is the heart and soul of Neighbourhood Watch Casey. She manages the group and its community events, including Safe Plates Day, community safety information, and the group’s Facebook page, sharing timely and relevant safety information with Casey residents. Jo Ann also represents NHW on Council’s Casey Community Safety reference group.

Casey Senior of the Year – Peter Cahill

Peter has been a volunteer English language tutor with the Adult Migrant English Service for 17 years. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Peter ensured his students were engaged and created various activities via Zoom and Facetime to help his learners continue to practice and grow, even under difficult conditions.

Casey Young Citizen of the Year – Tanisha Dooley

Tanisha is a mentor with the Casey Youth Action Committee making positive contributions to the group, showing exemplary leadership and a willingness to give her time and support to others. She also tutors at the Aboriginal Gathering Place in Doveton, using her teaching skills to support young community members with homework assistance.

Casey Woman of the Year – Liesel Kippen

Liesel volunteers with a soup kitchen, has raised over $17,000 for the homeless, collects and distributes warm clothing, has a voice on the Casey Council Libraries group and supports overseas charities too. She coordinated a care day for the vulnerable in our community before Christmas, offering hot meals, food hampers, clothing, blankets, toiletries and gifts for those who would otherwise go without.

Lindsay King Art Award – Bandok Tati

Bandok Tati is an Aboriginal dance group based in the City of Casey – Boonwurrung/Bunurong Country. They are a group of young men aged from 8 to 21 years who aim to bring more awareness to their culture through song and dance. They hope to inspire the broader community, and eventually the world, to learn more about the beauty of the Aboriginal culture, the oldest surviving culture in history.

Environment and Sustainability Champion – Melanie Bramble

Melanie is passionate about recycling and funds many different hard-to-recycle recycling options for the community, with her house being the drop-off point. She coordinates with her children’s school and her workplace to make sure everything that can be recycled, is recycled and runs a Facebook page promoting local recycling options available to Casey residents.

Casey Diversity and Inclusion award – Afghan Australian Philanthropic Association (AAPA)

The AAPA provides support and information about education, health, police, housing, and employment to newly arrived Afghan migrants and refugees. Older members of the community are encouraged to stay connected and young people are engaged through sport music and dance that enables Afghan culture and heritage to be celebrated.

Casey Community Group of the Year – Berwick Church of Christ Food Pantry

This not-for-profit organisation has been providing crisis care to the community in the form of fresh and non-perishable food, toiletries and nappies for the past ten years. The team of volunteers have created an environment where clients are respected, valued, accepted and cared for.

There were also two Special Mentions awarded: Maggie Ma was awarded Highly Commended in the Equity and Inclusion award for her art program with young Casey girls and women on the spectrum.

The Friends of Wilson Botanic Park was awarded Highly Commended in the Environment and Sustainability Champion award category for their work supporting Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick.