A tireless advocate for her community, Marie Crick, has won the 2018 City of Clarence Citizen of the Year award.
Described as ‘a shining light of positivity’, Marie Crick has changed the lives of many people in her community.
One of Marie’s achievements was instigating the idea for the ‘Brain Box’ bike helmet program in Clarence Plains where she resides. Ms Crick identified that a number of kids weren’t wearing helmets in the area due to the cost of purchase.
Marie approached Mission Australia and Council’s Youth Services team and after planning, the program is now in operation. Young riders can give five hours of community service for a free helmet. Marie was also a founding member of the Clarence Plains Spring Clean and member of the GROW project steering committee to develop a community garden space and outdoor classroom for students in Clarendon Vale.
Today Ms Crick will accept her award alongside the senior citizen of the year, Christopher Smith, and the young citizen of the year, Demi Smith. Community event of the year was awarded to Carols Under the Stars.
Bayview Secondary College Student, 16 year old Demi Smith of Rokeby, is a strong voice on youth issues in Clarence, particularly youth homelessness. She is a member of the Clarence Youth Network Advisory Committee and part of a working group for Youth Homelessness Matters Day in 2016 and 2017. Demi has also directed a short film, The Off Course Girl, submitted as part of the Hidden Others film festival and screened as part of Salvos Sleep-Out to increase conversations about youth homelessness.
Christopher Smith, of Howrah, is an advocate for seniors and men’s health through various roles. He is a co-founding member of the Howrah Men’s Shed and a long standing and active member of National Seniors Australia.
Mr Smith has been described as a pivotal leader of the NSA Rosny branch during its infancy and in a period of declining membership- through his leadership, the membership base grew. He also delivers regular presentations at Centrelink seminars on the importance of socialisation of seniors after retirement.
Carols Under the Stars, organised by Abundant Life Church, is regarded as Hobart’s largest and longest running free carols event. The family-friendly is supported by more than 100 volunteers and attracts more than 5,000 people each year.
The City of Clarence Australia Day Awards were presented by Mitch McPherson (Australia Day Ambassador, founder SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY) and the Mayor of Clarence, Alderman Doug Chipman, as part of the Australia Day on the Bellerive Boardwalk celebrations which kicked off with a hearty breakfast and music from the A Cappella Bootcamp Choir and the Clarence City Band.
“The City of Clarence is a vibrant place, thanks to many people- but especially those in the community who give to others without expecting anything back- our four recipients are great examples of just that,” said Mayor Chipman.
More information on all the Australia Day Award winners and nominees, can be found here.
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