Ruby Liddelow, Elaine Young, Marion Leach, Pam Bennett and Averil Richards.
Camera IconRuby Liddelow, Elaine Young, Marion Leach, Pam Bennett and Averil Richards. Credit: Supplied/Jon Hewson

Mandurah Citizens of the Year awards winners

Jill BurgessMandurah Coastal Times

A CROWD that increases in number every year enjoyed a Lions Club of Mandurah breakfast and the presentation of Citizen of the Year Awards on Mandurah’s eastern foreshore this morning.

A massive 26 nominations were submitted for the Citizen of the Year Awards while more than 85 people from a range of countries took part in a citizenship ceremony.

Pam Bennett is the Community Citizen of the Year.

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Ruby Liddelow is the Citizen of the Year (under 25) with Averil Richards taking the title for over 65.

Dot’s Place Peel Cancer Support Centre won the Community Group or Event.

City of Mandurah deputy Mayor Caroline Knight said it was a privilege to recognise all the nominees who helped make Mandurah an amazing place to live.

“The standard of nominations received this year, as in previous years, was very high,’’ she said.

“The awards are a great opportunity to publicly acknowledge the contribution and outstanding work of our local champions.’’

Pam Bennett demonstrates active citizenship by always giving back to her neighbour and is the first to lend a hand in all situations.

She is involved in local charity events and helps run sausage sizzles at Bunnings for a range of charities.

In the past few years, she has been involved in Relay for Life and has twice shaved her head for the world’s Greatest Shave.

She is an active member of Mandurah Southern Districts Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade and Mandurah SES.

Ruby Liddelow (23) has worked in the arts, youth and community development sectors of Mandurah for many years.

She encourages young people to get involved with events and initiatives in the community and increases community capacity, coaching them to believe in their own skills and abilities and inspire them to make change in their own community, a rare and valuable skill for a young person to possess.

Averil Richards has been a volunteer for Camp Quality for 25 years and a fundraiser for the Mandurah Angel’s breast cancer support group.

She is a tireless volunteer, fundraiser and organiser of family days and camps and supports children with cancer and their families.

About five years ago, not long after her husband died of cancer, Mrs Richards was diagnosed with breast cancer but with no self-pity, she joined the Mandurah Angels and is a very active fundraiser.

Dot’s Place Peel Cancer Support Centre opened in January 2017 providing a calming, welcoming space for anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis.

The centre offers a range of integrated services to help clients, carers, families and friends.

More than 1400 clients used the services in the past financial year.

Dot’s Place has three employees and a team of 29 volunteers.

Services and programs include transport to help reduce anxiety, complications and the cost associated with daily travel to Fiona Stanley Hospital for radiotherapy treatment.

Complementary therapies are offered by qualified volunteer therapists who provide Reiki, massage and reflexology to patients and their carers and a wig service.