Citizen of the Year Award: Nasir Hussain

Nasir has been a qualified social worker since 2016 and has used his skills and experience in this field to positively impact the City of Charles Sturt community.

In 2018, Nasir established and is the president of the Muslim Australia Connections of SA, known as MACSA, a not-for-profit organisation. This organisation provides support to Muslims and international students arriving in South Australia, helps them with programs and activities which provide the tools to achieve their hopes and dreams within Australia.

In 2018, Nasir also began volunteering with the Multicultural Communities Council of SA and in 2020 became a Board and Committee Member.

In June 2021, Nasir was the first Muslim and Pakistani male social worker to qualify as a finalist for the SA Social Worker of the Year Award. He was also a finalist for the Governor’s Multicultural Award for Volunteering in 2018.

Nasir is an active participant in the Islamic Leaders Advisory Forum, as organised by the Department of Home Affairs. He organised the Pakistan Independence Day Celebration at Parliament house, with the support of the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and following the recent catastrophic floods in Pakistan, Nasir actively supported Human Appeal with the Pakistan Floods Emergency Appeal Fundraising Dinner raising over $400,000.

He is currently working to raise over $30,000 for a single mother, who is on a humanitarian visa, to purchase her 12-year-old son a new access vehicle required for his disability.

Nasir provides an immense amount of support and leadership to our community. Working with and advocating for the multicultural groups within our City, Nasir provides opportunities for our community to feel connected and to have a greater sense of belonging and purpose. He assists the new residents to our City in accessing facilities and services that help them feel established and settled in their new home and additionally, Nasir works tirelessly to promote and celebrate the many cultures within the City of Charles Sturt.

Young Citizen of the Year Award: Alison Hanks

Alison has been an active member of the community for many years now along with being an active member of the St John Ambulance Cadets. Originally part of the St John Ambulance SA Gawler Division as part of the State Drill Champions Cadet Flag party, she moved across to the Woodville Division where she joined as a Youth Leader and now holds the role of Cadet Leader.

Within the Woodville Division, Allison is known for her enthusiasm, dedication to each of the tasks she is involved in and her tenacity to overcome any obstacles she faces. She is known for being the first to put up her hand, from training first aid to supporting her fellow members. Further, through the passion she has shown towards her own training and development, she has encouraged and lead other youth members to complete their own personal goals.

Alison has played an instrumental role in the First Aid and Drill Competition, acting as a liaison between the Woodville and Port Adelaide Cadet divisions. She has shown leadership and provided mentorship to the youth members and helped to increase confidence, knowledge, and skills as they competed in both Drill and First Aid competitions. Her passion and advocacy for these events has made others, including the leaders, become more excited and passionate about competitions and future events.

Alison has taken the lead in delivering the Health Care and Caring proficiency course. Her experience and knowledge as an aged care worker, and her tireless work with the leadership team in the planning and facilitation, has led her to be instrumental in the success of this course.

In October, Alison was awarded the South Australian Youth Member of the Year Award at the 2022 St John Ambulance SA Awards Day. This award recognised Alison’s efforts not only as a Cadet Leader but her acts of service to the community.

Senior Citizen of the Year Award: Gary West

Gary has been actively involved within the City of Charles Sturt community for many years now and is a long-term member of the Rotary Club of West Lakes. He previously held the position of President at the Rotary Club during the 2011-12 Rotary Year and in 2012 was recognised by Rotary International by being awarded the Paul Harris Fellow. This recognition was for outstanding service to the Rotary Club of West Lakes and the Club’s associated projects.

The Rotary Club of West Lakes provides support to the Rotary International’s overseas projects, however, is particularly focused and active in local community projects within the City of Charles Sturt. Gary has played a significant role and in just the last three years has been involved with the Road Safety Driver Awareness Program, the annual Christmas Fun for Kids event at West Lakes, the Dianne Parcell Student Awards for both the West Lakes Shore and Westport Primary School students, a science experience for year 10 students and involvement with Meals on Wheels… to name just a few!

Gary is known to be a jack of all trades and is committed to using his skills as an organiser, chef, and carpenter to the benefit of the community. Gary has an ethos of supporting the community that he lives in and we here at the City of Charles Sturt are lucky to be the beneficiaries of Gary’s volunteer service, hard work and dedication.

Gary is known for his personal warmth and enthusiasm and regularly reports to the Rotary Club of West Lakes to assists with the organising of teams to undertake community projects that assist a broad range of community members and groups, from those in aged care, families, and children in need of support, and beyond. Gary’s light-heartedness and camaraderie are a welcome addition to the Club and to our community.

Community Event of the Year: My Tree Project

The Western Adelaide Coastal Residents Association (WACRA) is a community led organisation that aims to advocate for the residents of the western suburbs.

The My Tree Project began in 2021 when an 11-year-old boy, who loved to read under his mulberry tree, shared an idea with his grandmother to grow trees and link them together via treehouses for each of his friends. The idea of connection to trees was sparked.

From this the My Tree Project group was formed and comprised of artists, environment educators, multimedia experts and a project manager. West Beach Primary and Kilkenny Primary Schools were also engaged, and students learnt not only about planting and propagating trees but also created artwork to share what trees meant to them, demonstrating the vital role of vegetation for sustainability and quality of life.

The project received positive feedback from students, staff, and community members alike and enabled the 475 students involved to increase their awareness of the importance of trees and increasing our tree canopy to combat climate change as well as water management, connection with nature and Kaurna culture and history of place.

In addition to involving a broad cross-section of our residents, the My Tree Project also saw some real tangible benefits to the community, including the planting of over 450 trees and understorey vegetation, plants given to students to take home and permanent propagation areas at both schools established. The project has also contributed to City of Charles Sturt’s Tree Canopy initiative, reducing greenhouse gases, mitigating the effects of urban heating, and providing shade and habitat for the local wildlife.