Veteran sports administrator and charity fundraiser Colin Rathbone was “absolutely stoked” to be named Kiama’s 2017 Australia Day Citizen of the Year.
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The Kiama resident said his wife Veronica had won the Citizen of the Year honour in 2000.
“I’ve been following in her footsteps, trying to catch up ever since,” he joked.
Mr Rathbone was acknowledged for a significant contribution to the Kiama municipality through his volunteer work, including 30 years with the Kiama and District Sports Association, as well as Red Cross, Friends of Blue Haven and Friends of Vision Australia.
“There were a lot of other worthy people nominated,” Mr Rathbone, 70, said.
“A dear friend of ours, Lina Brennan, said many years ago she would get my wife and I into volunteering work.
“She got us started and we’ve just kept going from there. I don’t plan on quitting.”
Mayor Mark Honey said Mr Rathbone was a worthy recipient of the award.
“Colin is a highly-respected member of the community, who is approachable, uncomplicated and helpful with the patience and willingness to go ‘above and beyond’ when required,” Cr Honey said.
“As well as his tireless efforts for the Red Cross and other charities, he has been for many, many years, an invaluable link between all the local sporting organisations in Kiama, managing challenges such as booking sporting fields.”
The Young Citizen of the Year for 2017 is Imogen Bakewell.
Ms Bakewell was a member of the Student Representative Council at Minnamurra Public School and Kiama High School.
As the 2014/15 school captain she helped organise many fundraising and social events and leadership workshops as well as successfully lobbying for improvements to student facilities.
She was also the Member for Kiama for Youth Parliament in 2016.
The 19-year-old will soon be relocating to Griffith University to study nursing.
“I like to keep busy and give back to the community,” she said.
“I’m very honoured to win the award because there were so many great nominees.”
Vince ‘Vinnie’ Hardman, a Kiama Surf Club member for more than 40 years, has received the Australia Day Sports Award, in recognition of his pioneering work creating the South Coast SLS Radio Room and communication operations.
David Evans and Tamara Campbell have received the Australia Day Community Arts Award for their work developing and running the KISS Arts festival.
Former councillor Howard R. Jones has received a Kiama Council Achievement Award for Service to the Environment, particularly his work on the Environment Committee, developing the Local Environment Plan, and continued involvement in planning proposals and legislation.
Jean Elaine Pratt has received the Community Achievement Award for her more than 50 years of volunteer work across a wide range of organisations and causes.
These include Kiama Public School, Kiama High School, Red Cross, Kiama Anglican Church, Kiama Spinners and Weavers, Kiama Show Society, Blue Haven Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, Kiama’s Coach-house Arts and Crafts Centre and Illawarra Embroiderers Guild.
The Youth Achievement Award went to award-winning photographer Ryan North. He recently won the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year and RAW Wollongong Festival photographer of the year.
International volleyball player and Olympian Aidan Zingel has been inducted onto the Kiama Sports Honour Roll, while singer, pianist and actress Eleanor Weston (deceased) has been added to the Arts Honour Roll.
Kiama council hosted the Australia Day 2017 Awards Ceremony on Tuesday at The Pavilion.
