City of Joondalup Australia Day citizenship ceremony.
Camera IconCity of Joondalup Australia Day citizenship ceremony. Credit: Supplied/Stewart Allen

Citizens recognised for contribution to community

Tyler BrownJoondalup Times

A FIRE officer, a fashionista, a fitness instructor and a group of fathers have been recognised at the City of Joondalup’s City’s 2020 Community Citizen of the Year Awards.

These awards are presented each year at the City’s Australia Day citizenship ceremony to acknowledge locals who have made a significant contribution to the community.

Community Citizen of the Year recipient Ian Plummer is a fulltime fire officer at Wanneroo Fire Station and devoted dad who volunteers almost all of his free time to helping others including at various events for young people with autism, such as surf lifesaving and swimming classes, and raising funds for charities.

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He is also a key helper at all school sport events at Whitford Catholic Primary School, coaching and mentoring students to achieve their personal best and even drawing parents in to take part in sessions.

Deputy Mayor Russ Fishwick with Emily Prior.
Camera IconDeputy Mayor Russ Fishwick with Emily Prior. Credit: Supplied/Stewart Allen

The Youth Citizen of the Year award went to Emily Prior for her work as an ambassador for the Starting with Julius project that champions the inclusion of people with disabilities in media and advertising.

The 12-year-old is passionate about changing the negative stereotypes that surround disability and became the first person with a disability to walk the runway at Perth Fashion Festival.

Her work as a model, activist, actor, filmmaker, and as a youth ambassador for Disability Sports Australia, promotes a message of inclusiveness in the local and wider community.

Senior Citizen of the Year, Dominic Yam, is aged in his 80s and runs the Fitness 50 Club, providing not-for-profit exercise classes for senior citizens.

Domenic Yam receives his award.
Camera IconDomenic Yam receives his award. Credit: Supplied/Stewart Allen

His exercise regime is designed to build strength, aerobic fitness and flexibility in a fun and friendly environment, with positive benefits to participants’ mental and physical health, and he also teaches tai chi and qigong.

And Group or Event of the Year was awarded to Whitty’s Dads.

Formed in 2018, the group was set up to inspire and equip the fathers and father figures at Whitford Catholic Primary School to positively engage with the children in their lives, also helping to significantly increase the number of dads who volunteer for events and class rosters.

They also raise funds to subsidise activities for children, aiming to provide at least one memorable event each term such as a dad and kids campout, fishing lessons, kindy Olympics and a billycart challenge, and holds holds information evenings and ‘dad only’ dinners to support each other.

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Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Stewart Allen

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