Australia Day Awards

Australia Day Awards Committee

The role of the Clarence City Council Australia Day Awards Committee is to select the recipients for the City of Clarence Australia Day Awards and oversee the promotion and presentation of the awards each year.

The current committee members are:

• Mayor Doug Chipman, Chairperson
• Alderman Brendan Blomeley
• Alderman Wendy Kennedy
• Jo Brodie – community representative
• Marie Crick – community representative
• Jerrick Johnson – community representative
• Council Officer to provide administrative support

The term of office for committee members is four (4) years. Members may only serve two consecutive four year terms.

Jocelyn Goldfinch – Citizen of the Year

Sandford resident Jocelyn (Jo), a committed teacher and sportsperson, regularly goes above and beyond in the Clarence community. Jo has demonstrated unwavering dedication to volunteering her time and support to surfing in Tasmania for decades.

She has helped organise countless surf competitions, including being a key coordinator of the hugely successful annual Tasmanian Schools Surfing Competition.

Outside of the sport, Jo has gone above and beyond in her role as teacher by providing care and support to her students.

Roger Viney – Senior Citizen of the Year 

Roger is known for his willingness to step up and assist community organisations with his good governance and administration skills. For decades he has volunteered countless hours to our community.

Roger is particularly passionate about local sporting clubs and has dedicated much of his time to supporting their growth and longevity.

It has been said that Roger embodies the essence of community spirit and has worked tirelessly for the benefit of the community.

Thomas and Lily Garde and Amelie and Zoe Brown – Young Citizens of the Year

Siblings, Thomas and Lily Garde and sisters, Amelie and Zoe Brown have been attending Pipe Clay Coastcare working bees from a very young age.

The group was established in 2007, and their parents were active members and involved their children in the group’s activities.

The four of them have each been consistent and dedicated volunteers who over the years have learnt the ropes, increased their participation levels and become team leaders.

Despite their young age, they have gained a depth of experience allowing them to work independently with initiative and gusto to get the job done.

Love in a Lunchbox’ Dream Team from Clarendon Vale Primary School – Community Event of the Year

The Love in a Lunchbox activity was established by a group of parents, affectionally referred to as the ‘Dream Team’, in 2016. In 2020 they made affordable, hot meals possible for students during the pandemic lockdown.

There have been numerous City of Clarence Australia Day Award recipients since the awards began in 1981.

A list of all recipients can be found below.

City of Clarence Australia Day Award recipients