City of Stirling Community Citizen of the Year Hayley Solich, of Dianella, with deputy mayor David Lagan. Photo: City of Stirling
Camera IconCity of Stirling Community Citizen of the Year Hayley Solich, of Dianella, with deputy mayor David Lagan. Photo: City of Stirling Credit: Supplied/ZE WENG WONG

Dianella volunteer is City of Stirling Community Citizen of the Year

Laura PondStirling Times

A VOLUNTEER supporting people in crisis and a horticulturalist helping rehabilitate the coastline are among those recognised at the City of Stirling’s annual Australia Day awards.

Four individuals and one organisation received honours at today’s Community Citizen of the Year Awards ceremony, which is held in conjunction with the Australia Day Council of WA.

Dianella’s Hayley Solich was named Community Citizen of the Year for her volunteer work spanning 25 years where she has helped women in domestic violence situations, people experiencing homelessness and those affected by drugs.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

She serves on more than 10 mental health committees and has contributed her personal experiences as a carer to Carers WA training videos.

“Quiet achiever” Walter Kolb, of North Beach, received the Senior Community Citizen of the Year award for his contributions as a horticulturalist, where he has dedicated more than 4000 hours to coastal regeneration along the City’s beaches.

In retirement, Mr Kolb continues to provide his “considerable skills and boundless energy” to coastline rehabilitation.

Young Community Citizen of the Year was awarded to Dianella resident Laura Ives Hicks, who is a guide leader at Scarborough Beach Seaview Guides, serves on a local committee for a young women’s guide group and donates her time to guiding programs.

Stirling Youth Advocates received the Active Citizen Award for a community group, recognising its efforts advocating for and uniting young people in the City.

Stirling resident Bernie Pugh was named the City’s Community Volunteer of the Year for his more than 10 years of volunteering efforts, including the past four years transporting seniors on group outings for the Connect2 program.

Deputy mayor David Lagan presented winners with their awards and said the calibre of nominees was very high.

“The time and personal effort these nominees devote to their community goes above and beyond what is expected,” he said.

“We received many impressive nominations this year, so our winners can be very proud of themselves.”