Health advocate, Boe Rambaldini, has been named Inner West Council Adult Citizen of the Year at a community celebration held on Friday at Marrickville Town Hall.
The Bundjalung Elder was recognised for his career-long dedication to improving the overall health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, working across universities and multiple levels of government to create better health outcomes and working conditions.
He wasn’t able to attend the celebration, with Jane Massa accepting the award on his behalf.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that Boe is successful as Citizen of the Year, he so deserves this award,” Ms Massa said.
“He is a man of incredible wisdom, marvellous personality and a person who has had in the past no voice and now has a voice and is using it so well advocating for Aboriginal people.”
Ms Massa, who nominated Rambaldini for the award, said he epitomised the spirit of community contribution.
“People like Boe are just so incredibly generous that they immediately say ‘yes’ to working in their own time working on a committee to help other people.
“He’s just got that incredible humility and generosity, as well as wisdom and he’s so prepared to share,” said Ms Massa, who is Coordinator for Suicide and Depression Prevention, Older People’s Mental Health at Sydney Local Health District
The 2023 Community Awards recognise the outstanding contribution of ‘Inner Westies’ across volunteering, fundraising, advocating and mentoring.
At the ceremony, Erin Spencer and Bec Cerio received special recognition for fostering inclusion in the Adult Citizen of the Year category, while Kath Wawatai was recognised for her long-term commitment to local live music.
Carrie Foster was named Senior Citizen of the Year and Ha-Huong Nguyen received special recognition for her contribution to local multicultural arts.
The annual Community Awards celebrate community members who live, study, work and volunteer across the inner west.
Paddy Ljubic McMorrow was recognised for his volunteering efforts at the Addison Road Community Organisation, while Kiara Tran also volunteers at Addison Road alongside many other experiences including music performances as part of ANZAC Day Services and the Inner West Music Festival.
2023 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Adult Citizen of the Year
Award recipient – Boe Rambaldini
Special recognition for fostering inclusion – Erin Spencer & Bec Cerio
Special recognition for long term commitment to local live music – Kath Wawatai
Nominees – Catherine Delaney, Alan Earls, Simone Amelia Jordan, John Karavasilias, Ben Ross, Brooke Watson.
Senior Citizen of the Year
Award recipient – Carrie Foster
Special recognition for contribution to local multicultural arts – Ha-Huong Nguyen
Nominees – Yao Zhi MA, Farid Wilson Silwanis
Young Citizen of the Year
Recipient – Amy Johnston
Special recognition as young people for social justice – Lillian Davies, Ruby Hensley, Rose Palmer, Emily Skribinsek
Next year, the Inner West Council says it will officially change the award title of Citizen of the Year to a name that uniquely reflects the inner west.
Council has removed a requirement that only Australians holding citizenship can be nominated for the prestigious awards, meaning a much broader cross section of the community can be represented, it said in a statement.
The change came about following Council’s decision to stop hosting the awards on Australia Day and uncoupling from the Australia Day Council’s selection criteria.
For a full rundown of award nominees and recipients go to: https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/community-awards
