TOM HAYES
By TOM HAYES
CHURCHILL hosted its Australia Day awards ceremony outside of the Churchill Community Hub, beginning at around 8am.
About 100 people attended to either accept an award, or celebrate and support the recognised members of their community.
Churchill’s ceremony began with the Churchill Citizen of the Year, which was awarded to Margaret Guthrie.
“As a long-time resident, this feels a little bit like a coming of age, (it’s been) 21 years next month since I first came to Churchill,” Ms Guthrie said.
“I remember driving in for my first look (of Churchill) and thinking ‘what a fabulous place to raise a family’.
“Churchill and District Community Association was the first community group I joined.”
In her acceptance speech, Ms Guthrie thanked three of her past peers from the association individually.
She reminisced on who always encouraged her to “get involved and have a go”.
“I am always appreciative of those people I’ve met in the many community groups in Churchill,” Ms Guthrie said.
“I think it’s a feature of Churchill that we have so many community groups and so many people volunteering and doing their bit.
“People ask me why do I like Churchill so much? I like to tell them that Churchill is small enough to be a community, but large enough to tolerate diversity, so thank-you for tolerating me.”
Churchill’s 2023 Young Citizen of the Year was Kurnai College graduate, Gabrielle Bonnici.
Ms Bonnici was Kurnai College’s 2022 school captain and peer support leader.
She also commits her time to the Air Force Cadets when not at school.
Four Young Student Citizens of the Year were to be announced, following Ms Bonnici.
First was 2022 Grade 6 student at Hazelwood North Primary School, Ashton Makepeace.
Ashton will begin his first year of high school at St. Pauls in 2023.
He loves footy and gymnastics – where he travels countless hours to practise many times per week.
Next was 2023 Grade 6 student at Churchill Primary School, Mia Castrillon.
Mia is now into her final year of primary school and loves sports; especially soccer and taekwondo – where she is currently a blue belt.
The final certificates were awarded to Hunter Bonfield, a 2022 student at Churchill North Primary School and Isabel Barling a 2022 student at Lumen Christi Primary School.
Isabel came prepared with a speech and appeared excited to share it with those in attendance.
“I’m grateful that my school has given me this amazing opportunity, by nominating me,” Isabel said during her speech.
She thanked the Churchill Lions Club as well as recognising the land that the event took place on.
Congratulations to all of the 2023 Australia Day Award winners and community groups involved.
Class of 2023: Cr Melissa Ferguson, Margaret Guthrie, Gabrielle Bonnici, (front) Mia Castrillon, Hunter Bonfield, Isabel Barling and Ashton Makepeace. photograph tom hayes
