Citizen of the Year – Barbara Hughes
Young Citizen of the Year – Jemma Mathers
Community Activity of the Year – CAFS Fostering Art Exhibition
The annual Australia Day Awards recognise the valuable contributions made by dedicated individuals and groups across three categories.
The 2011 winners are; Citizen of the Year, Barbara Hughes; Young Citizen of the Year, Jemma Mathers; and Community Activity of the Year, CAFS Fostering Art Exhibition.
City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Craig Fletcher congratulated the winners and commended the community-minded efforts of all the Australia Day Award nominees.
“This year’s nominees were all exceptional and very worthy of recognition. It was a difficult task for the committee to choose just one winner for each of the categories.
“The Australia Day Awards are an opportunity to recognise the individuals and groups that make our city a great place to live, and who have a positive impact on the lives of many people in our community.”
2011 Australia Day Award recipient profiles:
Barbara Hughes
Barbara Hughes has committed a large amount of her time to the Ballarat business community. Barbara has been a member of the Ballarat District Nursing and Healthcare (BDNH) Committee of Management for nine years and the chairperson for two. Barbara is currently chairperson of the working party facilitating the BDNH Centenary and the BDNH Centenary History book. Barbara is passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles for older people and established the ‘Footsteps for Fitness’ program designed to encourage the Ballarat community to get active. She is currently involved in the Victorian Chamber of Manufacturers and the Ballarat Chamber of Commerce. Barbara’s experiences also include her involvement with Ballarat Stereo Radio, YMCA, Ballarat Area Planning Committee, Ballarat School of Mines and Industries, Apprenticeship Scheme and the Ballarat Regional Board.
Jemma Mathers
At 15 years of age Jemma Mathers has already made a significant contribution to the local Ballarat community. Jemma was a member of the City of Ballarat Youth Council from 2007 – 2009, during this time she was involved in coordinating the City of Ballarat Youth Recognition Awards. In 2010 Jemma participated in the OAKTREE Foundations Make Poverty History road trip which involved a nine day tour of schools to raise the profile of poverty. In 2011 Jemma will travel to South Africa having successfully applied as one of five young Australian’s to attend Collaboration4Change: 2010 Building Australia’s Youth Multiculturalism.
CAFS Fostering Art Exhibition
Child and Family Services Ballarat host ‘Fostering Art’, a bi-annual art exhibition. ‘Fostering Art’ showcases the artwork of children and young people in foster care, together with the foster carer’s biological children. The first exhibition was held in 2008 and, due to its overwhelming success, is now a bi-annual event. The exhibition also engages the local community through a public exhibition at Stockland Wendouree where members of the local community can view the artworks.