Free Trade Day founder Ryan Wilson has been named as the Central Coast Citizen of the Year at Central Coast Council’s 2023 Australia Day Awards.
Director of Community and Recreation Melanie Smith said the annual awards were a way for Council to celebrate those who enrich our community, with Wilson a worthy winner.
“Embodying the true meaning of community spirit and inspiring others across the Coast to follow suit, Ryan formed the Free Trade Day initiative after attending a typical household call out as a tradesman in 2017,” smith said.
“It came to Ryan’s attention the gentleman had been without hot water for some time due to a broken system that he could not afford to fix.
“Moved by the gentleman’s circumstances Ryan generously donated and installed a hot water system (and) wondered how many people were in the community without the means to access simple trade work.
“Ryan kickstarted Free Trade Day for locals in need by gathering and inspiring hundreds of trade businesses to take part in the initiative.
“Today Free Trade Day conducts hundreds of jobs across the Coast each year with over 300 volunteers and more and more businesses coming on board every day.”
Council Administrator Rik Hart said Australia Day Awards honour the work of individuals who have made a significant contribution to our local community.
“All recipients share common characteristics in serving the community, which include selflessness, commitment, and generosity,” he said.
“Thank you to all award nominees for supporting the Central Coast community.
“Each individual should be proud of their efforts, and we are honoured to have this chance to recognise the work they do
“I would also like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and play.
“We pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging and recognise their continued connection to these lands and waterways.
“We acknowledge our shared responsibility to care for and protect our place and people.”
Senior Citizen of the Year is Warren Lupica, who has been an active surf lifesaver on the Central Coast since 1957, seeing seven decades of service.
He is an active member and involved with a number of community service programs including running the Silver Salties Group at Shelly Beach and running tai chi classes.
He also organises free First Aid, CPR and Defibrillator courses for the local Probus club and Lions Clubs.
Highly commended in the Senior Citizen of the Year category was Gregory Mawson.
Brittani Presland has been named Young Person of the Year.
A financial analyst studying a Master of Business Administration and Master of Finance at Newcastle University, she serves on a range of community-based boards and committees, contributing sound financial and accounting knowledge to the table.
She is a member of the Wyong Neighbourhood board, Secretary on the Scouts NSW public fund committee, an assistant treasurer to Cooks Hill lifesaving, a member of the Newcastle City Council Youth Committee and a member of the Gosford Preschool board.
The Young Person of the Year (Special Achievement) award went to Archer Pool, who at the age of just five, loves helping his friends, community and family.
Since Archer was two, he has helped his mother clean rubbish from parks and bake cookies for garbage truck drivers, postmen, teachers and front-line heroes.
During the floods, Archer jumped into action with his family to help people in the neighbourhood by supplying sandbags to protect their properties.
Community Group winner was Central Coast Kids in Need, a small volunteer group which has been able to assist families over the last 29 years with accommodation costs to stay with their children who are undergoing specialised treatments in Sydney and Newcastle hospitals.
The group also assists with high-cost prescription items, specialised formulas, quality-of-life equipment and travel expenses.
Over the years Central Coast Kids in Need has outlaid $4.13M in assisting over 3,573 families.
Captain Peter Liston, Founder and CEO of the Veteran Community Business Chamber, won the Community Life category.
After a decade of military service – which later resulted in him being medically discharged from the Army – Liston reflected on how hard it is for military spouses to maintain a career or find meaningful work while their partner is still serving.
As a result, he now volunteers his spare time to develop the Chamber, while also serving as the conduit between members and government, as well as the Returned and Services League of Australia.
Joint winners of Volunteer of the Year were Michael Sharpe and Robert ‘Bob’ Ihlein.
Sharpe is an active member of the Central Coast community, a dedicated volunteer and a proven leader.
Throughout his life, he has supported several community organisations including schools, fire brigades and many charity organisations and has built a longstanding partnership with the Gosford Regional Gallery.
He has been involved with over 18 services and is a board member of many groups that support the community.
Groups he is involved with include Freemasons on the Central Coast Charity, Central Coast Australian Olympic Team Fund, Central Coast Local Health District and Lifeline Hunter and Central Coast.
Ihlein is a Vietnam veteran and was part of the RAE construction group during his military service in Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Over time he has held senior volunteer positions with the RSL and the Men’s Shed movement.
He has been a member of The Entrance Men’s Shed since before its official opening in 2009, holding the position of president.
He also volunteers his spare time coordinating Overwatch, a suicide watch program for current and former defence force personnel.
Julie Redfern was highly commended in the Volunteer of the Year category.
Source:
Media release, Jan 24
Central Coast Council