JOAN EBERLE
Joan Eberle works tirelessly as a volunteer support worker with Anglicare providing support to the community’s most vulnerable
She provides childcare to children in a crèche so that younger women can attend bible study, heads the Mothers Union that helps families, and cares for many parishioners seeking support in times of need, grief, bereavement, sickness and loneliness.
DOROTHY HINSCHEN
Dorothy Hinschen is 72 years young and is a member of the Rural Fire Service brigade in Hill Top.
She prepares and caters for meetings for the RFS and keeps the catering van ready for action when needed.
Ms Hinschen works as a part-time cleaner for the Hill Top Community Centre and volunteers doing additional jobs at the centre, where she is also on the committee of management.
She volunteers with the Adult Day Care Centre and assists the elderly.
GORDON HUGHES
Gordon Hughes is a tireless volunteer in the Robertson community. He raises money for the Senior Citizens Group to help children’s charities, and runs a stall at the Robertson markets for the same causes.
Mr Hughes donates eggs for fundraising for the Robertson Community Hall.
He cares for his wheelchair bound wife, even though he suffers himself from Parkinsons disease. Mr Hughes keeps house and does the cooking despite his illness.
HUW KINGSTON
Huw Kingston actively promotes the Highlands as a destination for cycling.
He organises the annual Highland Fling mountain bike event, attracting thousands of competitors and spectators to the southern villages.
Mr Kingston instigated the “Bottle-free Bundanoon” campaign, encouraging visitors and residents of Bundanoon to drink tap water instead of bottled water.
Mr Kingston actively promotes the Southern Highlands wineries by organising winery cycling tours, and ensures that mountain bike trails are maintained, improved and developed.
GORDON LEWIS, OAM
Gordon Lewis was born in England in 1932, one of countless children raised in a Dr Barnardos orphanage.
Since arriving in Australia, Mr Lewis has earned a reputation as a committed, hard-working and well respected citizen in the Wingecarribee Shire.
Mr Lewis served on the Bowral/Mittagong Meals on Wheels during 1978 to 1999, serving five of those years as president.
He served 34 consecutive years in Local Government as a Councillor, including Mayor of Wingecarribee Shire Council from 2004 to 2008.
Mr Lewis is a long-term sportsperson and has been involved in countless other committees and causes.
PATRICIA O’KEEFFE
Patricia O’Keefe plays a very active role in the community through the “Faith and Light” organisation, looking after and assisting adults with disabilities and entertaining them.
She is also volunteer at St Vincent de Paul, Bowral, and Youth Off the Streets, and teaches catechism at Exeter Primary School.
Mrs O’Keefe teaches young students from different countries and backgrounds how to speak English, and assists them in settling into their school life in Australia.
She shows great support to these young people living away from their homes and quite often provides accommodation for overseas visitors.
TONY SPRINGETT
Tony Springett has lived all of his life in the Southern Highlands and has carried on the tradition of the Springett family by involving himself in community projects and charity events.
Mr Springett has been a member for 20 years on the Kollege of Knowledge Kommittee for Kids, and has served as president/secretary of this charity for the past six years.
The charity has raised $1.5 million for special needs children in the Wingecarribee Shire.
Mr Springett was a founding member of the Bowral Water Polo Club and is still a playing member. He has served on the committee in various capacities since its foundation.
He has been a member of the Bowral Chamber of Commerce for 20 years, and has held the position of president for the past 12 months.
2010 Young Citizen of the Year
MATTHEW BATE
Matthew Bate is a Year 11 Student at Oxley College. He begins Year 12 this year.
NOEMI BORBELY
Noemi Borbely attends Moss Vale High School where she is currently a Year 12 student and will be sitting for her HSC in 2010.
JAMES CUPITT
James Cupitt attends the Southern Highlands Christian School, beginning Year 11 this year.
LESLIE JONSON-HOYE
Leslie Jonson-Hoye attends Moss Vale High School, where he completed Year 12 in 2009.
DOMINIC LENARDUZZI
Dominic Lenarduzzi attended Chevalier College, and completed the HSC in 2009. He was the boy’s school captain.
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