We received many worthy nominations in the lead up to the 2022 Community Awards. Glenorchy spirit is strong across the six award categories demonstrating the achievements and dedication of many amazing people in Glenorchy. Sadly due to COVID-19 we were unable to hold an in person ceremony however Mayor Bec Thomas proudly announced the winners in an online video shared with the public.
We look forward to sharing some photos and profiles with the wider community over the coming weeks to truly acknowledge and celebrate all nominees and winners in this year’s Community Awards.
Congratulations to all 2022 Award winners and nominees. To read a full list of the amazing nominations we received click here.
For more information about the Community Awards head to our separate web page: https://www.gcc.tas.gov.au/discover-glenorchy/events/awards-and-ceremonies/
Citizen of the Year 2022 – Winner: Eric Myers
Eric has a history of volunteering going back to the 1980’s. More recently Eric has been involved with Claremont Rotary as board member, Secretary and Treasurer. He has been an exchange host for adults and children for Rotary International, an ‘E’ team mentor and a young achievers Australia mentor. Eric also helped organise the ‘Postie’ bike ride from Hobart to Cairns. Eric has also been a board member for the YMCA. A recent and continuing project is Eric’s involvement with TadTas, a not-for-profit organisation that helps give technical aid to health aid users by modifying equipment used by people with disabilities to suit their individual needs. Eric was the instigator and coordinator for Claremont Rotary to organise the ‘Walk of Remembrance’ in partnership with Claremont RSL, GCC ad Cadbury using interpretive panels explaining the history of the Army camp that was located on the Cadbury Peninsular during WW1.
Young Citizen of the Year 2022 – Winner: Eli Morrison
Eli has been a Student Leader at Guilford Young College. Prior to this as a Year 11 student, Eli was actively involved in the Glenorchy Campus Just Act Student Committee. This Committee raises awareness of issues within the College and wider community of justice and aims to build a positive community spirit.
Eli has also been associated with the Scouting movement for over 9 years and has used this experience to encourage people to take a positive risk to be involved with the community. Eli has a positive and caring demeanor and is often seen around the campus, or when visitors are on campus, welcoming, helping people to feel comfortable and approaching people to assist with a dignified and inclusive manner. He has made a great contribution to the wellbeing of our community and represents the wider Glenorchy community as a fine young person with much to contribute to society.
Sports Achievement Award 2022 – Winner: John Clarke and Judy Latham – Glenorchy Rodman Bowls Club
John and Judy were appointed as joint bar managers about 3 years ago and have not or will not accept any payment for the work they do for the club. Every day of the week you can find them both at the club first thing of a morning and often the last pair to leave of a night. Whilst John is organizing the bar, Judy is always finding something to do cleaning the clubrooms or outside in the gardens. They are there early in the morning to set up for Moonah Probus Club meetings or late to set up darts on Wednesday nights during winter and arrange meeting space for the Glenorchy Garden Club. They cook the BBQ on a Wednesday night and collect entry fees for social bowls.
Whilst as a Club we can express our thanks to them, an award such as this would express the thoughts of all members and members of the Glenorchy community who use the Club. They truly deserve the recognition they may receive because again, we as a Club cannot express how grateful we are for what they do to make life enjoyable for all who attend our great Club.
All Abilities Award 2022 – Winner: Luke Rand
Luke’s different abilities meant that he was unable to hold down a normal part time job like other teenagers. So, whilst in year 10 and from a maths project, he set up his own business and created his own job. His goals in doing this are to contribute to society and to save for a boat. In grade 10 Luke was the only student to receive a distinction for his schoolwork and he also won the Enterprise Award sponsored by the Lions club for his business 2018.
Luke business is growing, last year sold just over $35K in toilet paper. This year he is already halfway there to meeting his budget of $42K for this financial year – maybe he can reach $50K by the end of the year. Luke has a passion for the environment and is careful in his selection of products. Luke also has a great sense of humour and a fun and cheeky personality. That is why Who Gives a Crap is a great fit for Luke. Luke’s business is now employing a warehouse co-ordinator from the local council area to help grow his business to stock other products. Through selling some new products to increase sales, he is hoping to create another local employment opportunity with a 3 day a week store person role.
Through his generosity, he has made numerous donations to support those in need. He has donated over $1,000 to Sleep Out for the Salvos, he participates in the Glenorchy City Council International Day for People with a Disability, he does Beyond the Classroom presentations at the Salvo’s in Glenorchy. Luke donates toilet paper from time to time to those in need.
Community Group of the Year 2022 – Winner: Lions Club of Glenorchy
The Glenorchy Lions Club work hard and have a strong community spirit, taking an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of our community. The Glenorchy Lions provide an outlet for individuals to meet new people, take interest in issues of concern to the community and help out people in need. The Lions Club of Glenorchy City recognise that a socially inclusive and accepting community is a more productive, positive and happier community. In more recent times, the Lions Club of Glenorchy City has responded to the ongoing pandemic and adapted their services to provide for those in our community most in need. Located in Berriedale, the Club has established a community drop-in space accessible for the greater community. The club has a fully functioning kitchen which is available for other local organisations to hire.
School Group of the Year 2022 – Joint Winners: SRC at Springfield Gardens Primary and Rosetta Primary E-Team.
Student Representative Council – Springfield Gardens Primary – The SRC have been instrumental in all areas of planning and implementing a Bush Food Garden within the school grounds. The planning commences in Term 1 and was completed in the final weeks of Term 3. The SRC identified the need for a space within our school to celebrate Aboriginal culture and to create a space for those students who identify as Aboriginal to call their own. The garden is a space where Aboriginal education can be provided for the whole school and the wider community to learn about Aboriginal culture. THE SRC particularly created the space to highlight the importance of Tasmanian native plants in Aboriginal culture.
Since the installation of the garden space, it has become a regular meeting place for the Aboriginal Student Group who meet during lunchtime to talk about culture and have a yarn. The garden has become a sensory space for students who need to regulate their emotions throughout the day. Others within the community find it a relaxing place to sit and interact.
The SRC are a worthy recipient of this award as they used their initiative to identify a need in our school community and consulted with stakeholders within our school and community to plan and implement the project.
Rosetta Primary E-Team – The School E-team group is a significant part of the culture of the school and consistently models good environmental practice. This group consists of students from prep- grade 6. They arrange events and highlight significant days of action like Clean up Australia Day, Earth Hour, Plastic Free Days and Tree Day.
The group volunteer their time and students interact on many levels to ensure support and interest is maintained throughout the school. Their work is widely accepted as they have gained consistent credibility in accepting challenges and maintaining purpose. Regular gardening and composting challenges are willingly undertaken. Recently the E-team undertook the Mobile Phone Muster and were winners of the state award 2021. The wider Rosetta community became fully engaged in the recycling initiative and participation results were outstanding. The E-team also promote separate recycling options around the school and classrooms.
Reducing green waste and plastic has been a big focus in recent years and regular weekly routines to manage this have shown a reduction in overall usage. With increased awareness has come student led and promoted action that embrace the concerns of climate challenges that the e-Team can make positive contributions to addressing.