Australia Day 2012 Award Winners

Citizen of the Year - Grant Plecas

Grant Plecas of Tarrawanna is a dedicated volunteer. He has organised the Relay for Life in NSW since 2001, an event which raised more than $400,000 for cancer research last year alone. The father of five also assists with the Mothers Day Classic in Wollongong and fundraising events such as Pink Ribbon month and the annual Great Ocean Pool Crawl.

Young Citizen of the Year - Makenzie Russell

Makenzie Russell, from Gwynneville, has been recognised for her leadership at school and in the community. Makenzie initiated an indigenous awareness campaign as part of NAIDOC week highlighting the education gap between indigenous and non-indigenous children. She is also involved with fundraising activities such as Good Sam’s Day and the Op Shop Ball.

Cultural Award Winner - Gerardo Guevara

El Salvador-born Gerardo Guevara, from Figtree, arrived in Australia as a young boy and acted as the sole provider for his family after his father passed away. Gerardo is now a teacher of students with special needs at Keira High School and is passionate about teaching. With a Masters Degree in Creative Arts and a Diploma in Education, Gerardo has curated a number of exhibitions featuring his students’ works.

Community Award - Migration Heritage Project

The 2012 Community Award winner is the Migration Heritage Project (MHP) which aims to protect and promote the heritage of the Illawarra’s diverse cultural communities. The MHP undertook a range of projects last year, including producing a heritage story book and e-book and organising the Collection of Hopes and Dreams exhibition which is being run inconjunction with the ‘Generations’ exhibition at Wollongong City Gallery.

Council congratulates the Australia Day award winners, and everyone who was nominated.