Thirty-eight outstanding Casey residents and twenty-one volunteer groups were recognised for their inspiring contributions to the community at the 2023 Casey Community Awards event held on the 25 January 2023.
Jo Ann Fitzgerald was named the 2023 Casey Citizen of the Year, Peter Cahill the Casey Senior of the Year, Tanisha Dooley the Casey Young Citizen of the Year, and the winner of the Casey Woman of the Year was awarded to Liesel Kippen.
Melanie Bramble was named the Casey Environmental and Sustainability Champion, the Afghan Australian Philanthropic Association (AAPA) were awarded the Casey Equity and Inclusion award and Bandok Tati named the 2023 Lindsay King Art Award winners.
The Food Pantry was announced the 2023 Casey Community Group of the Year.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM announced the winners and congratulated all the nominees for the well-deserved recognition.
“It’s fitting that we celebrate the individuals and community groups who give so much to our community and make Casey such a wonderful place to live,” Ms Duff said.
“Today we celebrate the many people who give their time, passion and energy to help build a better community here in Casey”.
“I’d like to congratulate our 2023 Casey Citizens of the Year, along with the award winners and all the nominees for these prestigious awards. Thank you for the contribution you all make to our community.”
Casey Citizen of the Year – Jo Ann Fitzgerald
Jo Ann is the heart and soul of Neighbourhood Watch Casey (NHW), which has flourished under her leadership. A lifelong public servant she has worked tirelessly to ensure the group grows, meets regularly and supports Casey residents on safety issues.
Jo Ann established good partnerships with Council, police, and local businesses to ensure the best outcomes for the community. She manages the group and its community events including safe plates day, community safety information and the group Facebook page, sharing timely and relevant safety information with Casey residents.
She also sits on the Casey Community Safety reference group to ensure NHW has a voice and is represented in Council.
Casey Young Citizen of the Year – Tanisha Dooley
Tanisha is a mentor with the Casey Youth Action Committee making positive contributions to the group, showing exemplary leadership and willingness to give her time and support to other young people.
She also tutors on a weekly basis at the Aboriginal Gathering Place in Doveton, using her teaching skills to support young community members with homework assistance. She makes a positive contribution to the lives of young people in Casey.
Casey Senior of the Year – Peter Cahill
Peter has been a volunteer English language tutor with the Melbourne AMEP (Adult Migrant English Program) for 17 years. He is a star volunteer and always goes above and beyond developing material to support his students to continue practicing and learning.
During lockdown and social isolation Peter ensured his students were engaged and encouraged to participate. He created various activities via Zoom and Facetime to help his learners continue to practice and grow even under difficult conditions. He also workshops ideas with his students to get the best out of them and ensure he is using the right tools to support them.
Casey Woman of the Year – Liesel Kippen
Liesel is a teacher by profession and serves as an inspiration to others by making a difference in people’s lives. She raised over $17k for the homeless and coordinated a care day for the vulnerable in our community before Christmas, offering hot meals, food hampers, clothing, blankets, toiletries, and gifts for those who would otherwise go without.
She consistently volunteers with a soup kitchen, raises funds for homelessness, collects & distributes warm clothing, has a voice on the Casey Council Libraries group and supports overseas charities. Liesel demonstrates compassion and positivity in everything she does for our community.
Casey Community Group of the Year – Berwick Church of Christ Food Pantry
Food Pantry volunteers have been providing crisis care to the community in the form of fresh & non-perishable food, toiletries, and nappies for the last ten years.
The Food Pantry team have created an environment where clients are respected, valued, accepted, and cared for during their time of need.
As well as the practical support they provide, the team gives much thought to how they can brighten the lives of those they serve emotionally. Their dedication is demonstrated by providing a comfortable waiting space, ensuring privacy, and supporting specific dietary requirements. The volunteers show their exceptional service and commitment to those going through financial hardship in our community daily.
Casey Environment and Sustainability Champion Award – Melanie Bramble
Melanie takes recycling seriously, at home and in the community. She funds many different hard-to-recycle recycling options for the community. She is passionate about recycling, and coordinates with local schools and her workplace to make sure everything possible is recycled.
Melanie runs a Facebook page promoting local recycling options available to Casey residents. She has reduced waste in her own home and is keen to learn more about waste and recycling so that she can improve on her efforts, promote the services she offers, and share her wisdom with the wider community.
Casey Equity and Inclusion Award – Afghan Australian Philanthropic Association
The AAPA provides support and information about education, health, police, housing, and employment to newly arrived Afghan migrants and refugees. Older members of the community are encouraged to stay connected and young people are engaged through sport, specifically soccer, as well as music and dance that enables Afghan culture and heritage to be celebrated.
The group supports diversity and inclusion for all, in particular women who under the Taliban regime were forbidden education, medical support and employment opportunities.
Lindsay King Art Award – Bandok Tati
Bandok Tati is an Aboriginal dance group based in City of Casey - Boonwurrung/Bunurong Country. They are a group of young men aged from 8-21 years old who aim to bring more awareness to their culture through song and dance.
They pride themselves on their authenticity and power to share their personalities and smiles with everyone they meet. They hope to inspire the broader community, and eventually the world, to learn more about the beauty of the oldest surviving culture in history, Aboriginal culture.
There were also two Highly Commended awards for:
- Maggie Ma was awarded Highly Commended in the Equity and Inclusion category for her great contributions in developing an art program for girls and young women who identify as being on the autism spectrum and can express themselves through art.
- The Friends of Wilson Botanic Park were awarded Highly Commended in the Environment and Sustainability Champions category, for their commitment to the preservation of the flora and fauna of the park for the last 30 years.
Casey Community Awards
The Casey Community Awards celebrate remarkable Casey residents and groups. Casey celebrates the achievements and contributions of prominent Casey citizens and groups.
Details on the 2023 Casey Community Award recipients
- Casey Citizen of the Year – Jo Ann Fitzgerald
- Casey Young Citizen of the Year – Tanisha Dooley
- Casey Senior of the Year – Peter Cahill
- Casey Woman of the Year – Liesel Kippen
- Casey Community Group of the Year – Food Pantry (Berwick Church of Christ)
- Casey Environment and Sustainability Champion - Melanie Bramble
- Casey Equity and Inclusion Award – Afghan Australian Philanthropic Association
- Lindsay King Art Award – Bandok Tati
Nominees for 2023 Citizen of the Year Awards:
- Cindy Bell
- Daniela Maslen
- Jo Ann Fitzgerald
- Kristen new
- Kuldeep Singh
- Lindiwe Ndebele
- Thuch Ajak
- Zabi Mazoori
Nominees for 2023 Senior of the Year Awards:
- Dot O’Neill
- Garry Luxford
- Helen Bell
- Peter Cahill
- Sue Morris
Nominees for 2023 Young Citizen of the Year Awards:
- Kate Smith
- Lynn Laufou
- Sajeda Zaki
- Tanisha Dooley
Nominees for 2023 Woman of the Year Awards:
- Amruta Varshini Venoth Kumar
- Caitlin Frost
- Corina Dutlow
- Liesel Kippen
- Rincy Roshan
Nominees for 2023 Environment and Sustainability Champion(s) Award:
- Christine Micah
- David Duncan
- Friends of Wilson Botanic Park
- John Doward
- Melanie Bramble
- Michael Ihle
- Paul Jones
- Ray Darbritz
- Sue Johnston
Nominees for 2023 Equity and Inclusion Award:
- Afghan Australian Philanthropic Association
- Alfredo Tilan
- Maggie Ma
- Cindy Warren
- Kasuni Mendis
- Artzmartz Young People’s Theatre
- Travis Tuck
- Wida Tausif
Nominees for the 2023 Lindsay King Art Award:
- Bandok Tati
- BATS Theatre Company
- Casey Philharmonic Orchestra
- Kerrigan La-Brooy
- Laitini Matautia-Ulugia
Nominees for the 2023 Community Group of the Year Awards:
- 2nd Chance Cat Rescue
- Bakhtar Community Organisation
- Berwick Waters Parkrun
- Casey Basketball Association
- Casey Cardinia for Refugees
- Indian Senior Citizens Association of Casey
- Food Pantry – Berwick Church of Christ
- Gethsemane Church Charity
- Lynbrook Residents Association
- Neighbourhood Watch Casey
- Peninsula Community Legal Centre
- SES Narre Warren
- START AOD Community
- U3A Cranbourne