City celebrates outstanding citizens with annual awards

The City announced winners of its 2025 Community Citizen of the Year Awards at a special ceremony on Monday 27 January.

City celebrates outstanding citizens with annual awards
Jan 27 2025

The City of Bayswater has honoured five community-minded locals as part of the 2025 Community Citizen of the Year Awards, presented in partnership with Auspire at a special citizenship ceremony on Monday 27 January.

Mayor Filomena Piffaretti thanked the recipients for their notable contributions to the community.

“The City is proud to recognise the immeasurable impact these individuals have made in the lives of our residents with these awards,” she said. 

“Their commitment to improving the lives of others and strengthening our community is truly inspiring.”

Lyme disease advocate and children’s book author Kara Perrin was announced as 2025 Community Citizen of the Year for her efforts to increase public awareness surrounding tick-borne diseases and fundraise on behalf of Lyme Disease Association of Australia.

Senior Citizen of the Year was awarded to Greg Elliott for his coordination of the local Read Write Now program, which connects people with low literacy to volunteer tutors.

Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Rodrigues Niyongere, who works with Football Futures Foundation to coach young players with disability and uses his lived experience of cerebral palsy to inspire other sportspeople.

The Maylands Historical and Peninsula Association received the Active Citizenship Award for its work preserving, collating and sharing local history and celebrating Maylands heritage.

The City presented Kate Bettenay with its Outstanding Women in Leadership Award. Kate founded the not-for-profit organisation Hero Hunter Foundation to offer practical support to families with a childhood cancer diagnosis.

Pictured (L-R): Sue and Keith Cundale from Active Citizenship Award winner Maylands Historical and Peninsula Association, Community Citizen of the Year Kara Perrin, Outstanding Women in Leadership Award winner Kate Bettenay, Young Citizen of the Year Rodrigues Niyongere and Senior Citizen of the Year Greg Elliott.

Related information

Go to Top of the page