Kwinana residents recognised in Community Citizen of the Year Awards

ABRAM Ziegelaar, president of the local St Vincent de Paul, is Kwinana’s Citizen of the Year 2018.

The 83-year-old was presented with his award at the City of Kwinana’s annual Australia Day event on January 26.

More than 500 people attended the celebration at Kwinana Adventure Park.

Ebony Pavlov was awarded the Youth Citizen of the Year and the Senior Citizen of the Year award went to Max Bird.

The event was also a celebration of 48 people who became Australian citizens. There was a free barbecue breakfast, water slides, a DJ and a visit from native Australian animals.

The Community Citizen of the Year Awards recognise individuals and organisations making a notable contribution.

“Mr Ziegelaar has been a cornerstone of the Kwinana community for many years, always being one of the first to help those less fortunate,” Cr Adams said.

“Citizen of the Year is a prestigious award and just a small way we can thank Abram Ziegelaar for a life lived for others.”

n Kwinana Citizen of the Year Abram Ziegelaar

Since moving to Kwinana 50 years ago, Abram Ziegelaar has contributed to shaping the Kwinana community.

Mr Ziegelaar and his wife have been long-term members of the Kwinana Branch of St Vincent de Paul, providing ongoing support and stability for countless families.

At the age of 83, Mr Ziegelaar is still serving as president of St Vincent de Paul.

He has played a pivotal leadership role in planning and sourcing of funding for the current Vinnies building on the corner of Medina Avenue and Summerton Road.

n Citizen of the Year – Senior Max Bird

Mr Bird has been a member of the local Rotary Club for 19 years, being president twice and has committed his time to many different community projects over the years.

Mr Bird spearheads the Rotary Timor project that delivers clean drinking water to remote villages. He has raised $200,000 towards this project so far and installed wells in four remote villages.

Attendance of girls in the local schools improved dramatically, as these girls previously walked long distances to access water for the family before they could attend school.

n Citizen of the Year (Youth) Ebony Pavlov

Ms Pavlov is a passionate volunteer. She gives her time to a number of organisations including Uniting Care West, Emergency Service Cadets, Kwinana Tee Ball, the Kwinana Youth Advisory Council and the City’s LyriK (Leadership, Youth, Respect in Kwinana) program.

She involves herself in community activities, regularly giving up her own time to help others.

Ms Pavlov is studying community services and education support so that she can continue to help others in the future.