2022 Australia Day Awards
About
- 2022 Award categories included: Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and Community Event of the Year.
- The Australia Day Awards celebrate and recognise those who have shown a willingness to lend a helping hand, concern for the environment or participated in sport, arts or cultural endeavours. They share the aspirations of all Australians in respect of tolerance, democracy, equity and equality of opportunity.
- For more information about the awards and previous years' winners and nominees, visit our Australia Day Awards webpage.
2022 Citizens of the Year joint winners: Philip Anning and Carol Thompson
Philip Anning
Philip is a strong advocate for the advancement of community sport and junior sport development. As president of the Pakenham Cricket Club, he ensures the club fosters an inclusive competition to enable families to participate and to create a positive environment. He has tirelessly fundraised for the McGrath Foundation, with the club’s annual Pink Ladies Day luncheon raising more than $30,000 for the charity. Philip is a strong supporter of local businesses and encourages others to do the same. Philip is described as an icon in Pakenham with friends far and wide who deserves to be recognised for the inspiring man he is.
Carol Thompson
Carol has a long history of volunteering and has dedicated many hours to the Cockatoo RSL. She joined the committee as secretary and treasurer in 2015 and has also been bar and events manager. Carol has worked tirelessly with committee members to increase patronage and turnover. In addition to running the traditional Anzac Day and Remembrance Day events, Carol has been instrumental in establishing regular social events at the RSL, including the annual free Christmas day lunch, pool and Uno competitions, trivia nights, karaoke and live music. Due to her ongoing dedication and contributions, Carol was nominated RSL President of the Year. Since she and her family moved to Cockatoo in 1998, Carol has also been involved in Cockatoo Community Creche and Cockatoo Country Market and has supported young people in need.
2022 Senior Citizen of the Year: Ian Wake
Ian, an active Rotarian for 50 years, has held a range of club leadership positions and is the first to lend a helping hand for their community projects, barbecues and working bees. Ian has been involved in the development of Rotary Park, where he has initiated planting of native trees and shrubs and been involved in projects such as the construction of shelters, seating, the toilet block and other amenities. He has run ‘old time’ community dances since 2007, raising more than $150,000 for Rotary Club of Pakenham projects. Ian has chartered 2 Interact and 2 Rotaract clubs and has also been involved in the Beaconsfield Scout Group and Church of Christ Berwick.
2022 Young Citizen of the Year: Arshu Maskey
Arshu is committed to making a difference in people’s lives. During secondary school she was elected Community Service Representative leader for 2 consecutive years, organising blood donation drives, raising funds and facilitating a coin race to bring the community together. Arshu hosted a Multicultural International Mother’s Language Day event and, as a member of the Casey Cardinia Rotaract Club, she raised funds for bushfire relief efforts and supported a fundraising barbecue to raise money for the club. Arshu received a Community at Heart Community Gem 2020 recognition letter from a local MP as someone who had shown their true ‘community colours’ by supporting her family and neighbours during the pandemic. At university Arshu is mentoring students as a part of a Woman in Technology program. She has received a Monash PG Industry Experience Expo award for creating IT for social good during the pandemic. Arshu continues to make a difference by helping, inspiring and empowering others.
2022 Community Event of the Year: Cockatoo Country Market
The Cockatoo Country Market adapted to virtual markets during COVID-19 lockdowns but organisers were excited to host the March 2021 Twilight Market in person. It was the most successful yet, with more than 2,500 attendees across the event. The market provides a low cost and low risk platform for micro, home-based and artisan traders, with free advertising and profile building for stallholders. The market also provides opportunities for local community groups to fundraise and attract new volunteers and participants for their programs. A community barbecue is provided for community groups each month, adding to the fundraising and networking opportunities. Now in its seventh year, the market contributes to the ongoing support and development of community organisations via its community grants program, which has awarded more than $22,000 to local groups for a variety of projects.