Caring trio finalists in community awards

Mandurah is no exception. Seasons Funerals wants to recognise these people and bring awareness to the roles they play in Mandurah.

Seasons has launched a public vote, giving residents the chance to acknowledge those who have helped them when they could not help themselves.

The 2014 Seasons Community Champions Award, run in conjunction with Community Newspaper Group, began on Monday April 7 and will close on Friday, April 18.

Mandurah is fortunate to have three finalists up for the award and each brings their own distinctive service to different parts of the community. Tillie Stewart, Denise Castillo and Dave Hall shared their stories in the lead-up to the close of voting.

Both Tillie and Denise were humbled by the recognition.

‘What I do is so enjoyable in itself,’ said Denise

‘Just making their day is enough without an award.’

‘You know, we both do it because we love it,’ said Tillie

‘I love to see people with smiles on their faces.’

‘It is an honour and I’m happy just to be nominated.’

Denise set up the Mandurah division of Fishers with Disabilities which offers people with disabilities the chance to experience the joys of recreational fishing.

It broadens their recreational activities and brings a vast difference to the quality of their lives.

Denise sourced specialised equipment such as purpose built motorised reels, a trailer to house equipment and spotted suitable fishing locations.

Tillie is a volunteer with Ac-cent Mandurah.

For 15 years Tillie has worked as a kitchen assistant, reception duties through to costume maker and mentor to patrons of the centre.

She shares her blend of enthusiasm and humour to the outlandish costumes she makes and wears, bringing countless smiles and laughter to her regulars at Ac-cent.

She is mentoring an intellectually disabled young man to work in the kitchen

Dave Hall was deeply affected by the plight of asbestos disease sufferers in WA when he started seeing people dying of mesothelioma in the early 1980s. He took on the role of raising awareness about the inherent risks of asbestos, especially as many homes in Mandurah still have a great deal of asbestos in them.

In its third year, Dave and his family have organised an annual golf tournament in Mandurah to raise funds for asbestos disease medical research for Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.