Selfless service wins gong for three dedicated citizens

‘’Family and your close circle of friends are important but equally so is becoming a good, constructive member of the community,’’ she said.

‘’We live in a wonderful country with lots of opportunities which should not be taken for granted but as a privilege.

‘’I wish to encourage everyone to think of others. It’s my belief that society owes us nothing but rather we have a duty to give back to the communities that provide us all with the many opportunities and privileges that we enjoy.

‘’My hope for the future is the end to violence. I believe it can be achieved when everyone gives mutual respect for other people, property and the environment we all share.’’

The speech came after she was named the 2016 Rockdale Citizen of the Year.

Mrs Turnbull remained humble about the win.

‘’I don’t think I’m special, I never have,’’ she said.

‘’I’ve just always believed in giving back. I don’t think society owes you anything.’’

She said the need to give back started when she was a girl.

‘’When I was growing up you knew everyone. Mum was a nurse so every time someone had a fall she would be there with the dettol and band aid. I just grew up around that,’’ she said.

She started her career as a school teacher before resigning once she had her two children.

She went back to work casually and at the age of 50 started working part-time at the St George school.

During this time she helped formed the Work and Leisure Centre for Adults (WALCA) in her role as Treasurer.

In that time she helped train WALCA staff in water safety and supervise swimming sessions for people with disabilities at St George School in Kogarah.

She said the smiles on her students faces was the highlight of her work.

‘’A lot of them were very happy. 

‘’Happy in themselves and happy in their environment.

‘’I didn’t see the disability. I saw the ability behind them.’’

Honours

Margaret Turnbull

Disability advocate Margaret Turnbull has been named Rockdale Citizen of the Year.

As a special needs teacher at the St George School she saw the need for young people to have support after leaving school.

In 1994 after intense lobbying for government funding she opened the Work and Leisure Centre for Adults. Today the centre operates fives sites at Bexley.

Stephanie Mora

Volunteer Stephanie Mora was named Young Citizen of the Year. She has organised events and projects with Advance Diversity Services, St George Youth Services, The Ecuadorian Consulate and Embassy, NSW Spanish and Latin American SOcial Assistance, Sydney Latin American Film and ELLA Association INc.

She also volunteers with refugee students organising local events.

Brayden Kilpatrick

Rising AFL start Brayden Kilpatrick is the Sportsperson of the Year. He started playing AFL for Ramsgate rams Juniors at age 3 and has been playing representative AFL since 2007.

In 2010 he took part in the SydneY Swans Academy in its inaugural year. 

In a career highlight he recently moved to Melbourne after being selected to play in the Hawthorne reserve team.