Australia Day Big Breakfast 2012

Australia Day Gallery

More than 12000 people attended our Australia Day events on Thursday 26 January 2012 with a huge community breakfasts at Dee Why, Forestville and Narrabeen and Governor Phillip Lookout Trust ceremony at Beacon Hill.

To see photos of the events visit our Dee Why Gallery or Narrabeen Gallery.

Australia Day Survey

Warringah Council and the Australian Centre for Event Management at UTS want to know what you think of our Australia Day events. Please fill out a short survey for the location you attended: Dee Why Beach, Narrabeen, Forestville or Beacon Hill.

Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony

Warringah Council also organises the Australia Day Awards for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Event of the Year, and Outstanding Community Service.

This Years winners are:

Warringah Citizen of the Year

Josie Parata-Halo.

Four years ago, Josie began helping women who were trying to break free from domestic violence. She started small, helping out on a few individual cases, but word of her services quickly spread, and her eyes were soon opened to the needs of single mothers in our community. Josie then started up her own not-for-profit organisation called, ‘Single Mums Support’ or SMS Lighthouse which is run on a voluntary basis by Josie and her handful of dedicated volunteers. SMS Lighthouse guides women through the many obstacles that confront them.

Warringah Young Citizen of the Year

Tristan Scifo

At age 15, Tristan began volunteering through his local church but soon broadened his service to his local community. Now 23 year, Tristan works for Rising Generations, a not-for-profit organisation training leaders in schools around Australia. Each July he runs a national leadership camp for 220 students, and also voluntarily leads a weekly support group for young adults in the area. He also volunteers at a debt counselling service and assists the elderly and disabled with odd jobs around their homes. He also assists single mums by delivering goods through SMS Lighthouse and he assists with jobs around their homes. Tristan now lives in a share-house with some friends in North Manly and they open their home to young men in need. Whether it be for a weekend, a week or a fortnight, Tristan supports the young men in tough times and offers guidance to help them get back on their feet.

Community Event of the Year

Beyond Megafest

‘Beyond Megafest’ is organised and run by the Oxygen Factory Company which was co-founded by Glen Gerreyn and it is held at the C3 Church at Oxford Falls. It is held over two days and is open to all senior school students. The event aims to tackle critical issues being faced by teenagers in the community.

The event holds a series of workshops that are pitched specifically at adolescents. The “Men of Honour” program looks at issues such as diet, alcohol, drugs and the importance of fitness. It also gives young women the chance to meet some great role models like, Olympian Elka Graham and discuss topics like improving self-worth and how to overcome challenges. Overall the event aims to have a positive effect on youth in Warringah.

Outstanding Community Service Awards

Joan Backhouse - in recognition of outstanding service and commitment to supporting the mentally ill.

Layne Beachley - in recognition of outstanding service and commitment to providing young women with the opportunity to achieve their goals.

Nicky Cassidy - in recognition of outstanding volunteer service and commitment through the Pamper the Parents program.

Ted Cragg - in recognition of outstanding volunteer service and commitment to Rotary and the disabled. 

Anthony Haven - in recognition of outstanding volunteer service and commitment to Surf Life Saving. 

Cathy Hockey - in recognition of outstanding volunteer service and commitment to protecting and improving Warringah's environment .

Jeannie Joselin - in recognition of outstanding service and commitment to improving student health and education at Wakehurst Public School. 

Faye McColl - in recognition of outstanding service and commitment to the needs of those in aged care facilities in Warringah. 

Vida Tartakover - in recognition of outstanding volunteer service and commitment to the Warringah Library Service.

Nicholas Brice - Nicholas sadly passed away in August last year in a tragic abseiling accident. In his short 22 years, Nicholas contributed so much to the Warringah community. In particular, he showed outstanding volunteer service and commitment to the Belrose Rural Fire Service and to the South Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club.