Community heroes rewarded on Australia Day

Dedicated local residents were awarded the prestigious Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Awards on Tuesday, 26 January.

“The winners were awarded for their hard-work and contributions towards the betterment of the local community. This award is a chance for the community to thank them for their efforts,” said Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones OAM JP.

Winners include:
Community Group or Event – Neighbourhood Watch Armadale
Contact: June MacDonald

Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Armadale comprises a dedicated group of volunteers who make a significant difference in our community, NHW brings community members together by encouraging neighbours to get to know neighbours. This is a vitally important role in today’s community, particularly in new growth areas. Due to the significance of the growing culturally and linguistically diverse representation, NHW takes into account the different cultures and adapts programs to suit.

NHW coordinates the Street Meet n Greet in conjunction with WA Police. It provides an opportunity for local residents to receive valuable home security and personal safety advice. The concept allows people to interact with the local police in a non-threatening environment while allaying fears they may have based around security.

NHW supports local Police, canvasing areas that are identified as local ‘Hot Spots’ by delivering letters and safety information to residents.

Person over 25 years category – Nicole Elliot
Drug Aware Ignite Basketball

An Armadale resident for more than a decade, Nicole has worked with at-risk young people while raising two girls of her own.

She has been involved with the Drug Aware Ignite Basketball program in a variety of roles, most notably cooking nutritious home-cooked meals for up to 60 young people every Saturday night.

Nicole works with organisations such as the Department of Child Protection, enabling young people under their care to attend the program.

Using a minibus, she will travel out of her way before sessions to ensure these vulnerable young people are able to spend their Saturday nights productively with friends, having fun.

She also drives them safely home at the end of the night.

As an employee of South Coastal Aboriginal Health, she instigated a Health Check Booth at the program that allowed young people to have their BMI, heart rate and blood pressure taken and monitored for any issues. This was the first health check several of the participants had ever taken.

Person under 25 years category - Ms Javeena Miller
Drug Aware Ignite Basketball

Javeena is an 18-year-old Aboriginal girl that has worked with the Drug Aware Ignite Basketball program since she was 15, starting first as a participant before eventually graduating and being employed as a member of staff.

She contributes to every facet of the program - including administration, transport organisation, basketball coaching, fitness, educational workshops, food provision and running the two-hour tournament.

Her background is unusual as her family fosters vulnerable young people and provides them with a stable home life. This thrust her into the position of role model at an early age with many adopted brothers and sisters.

In 2014, Javeena won the Drug Aware Ignite Junior Coach of the Year following an exceptional season at the program. In addition to forming the first ever Ignite girls team that competed in Victoria Park on Saturday mornings, she gained her accredited Community Coach Certificate, Level 1 Referee Award and stepped up her responsibilities through the Drug Aware Ignite Saturday night session.

Also that year, Javeena was referred to Save the Children which operates on Friday nights through its One Step Closer program. Working from 6 to 10pm, she uses her Aboriginal background to help her peers reconnect with culture as well as play traditional Nyoongar sports games.

For a teenager to give up such a large portion of her weekend to help others is testament to her caring nature and dedication to developing the community of Armadale.