Citizen of the Year
Terry Rolleston - Citizen of the Year 2013
Terry Rolleston joined the Rotary Club of Glenferrie in 1993.
He was the driving force behind establishing the Boroondara Family Network, a program focusing on the health and welfare of infants and young children, in 1999.
Terry was also instrumental in guiding the establishment of the Boroondara's Farmer's Market.
He has been involved in many community programs including the Boroondara Cares vehicle set up to assist Moira Shire drought victims and working bees to help flood victims in regional Victoria.
Since being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2005, Terry has worked closely with Parkinson's Victoria to coordinate walkers for the annual "Unity Walk" and has also organised a number of local events to raise money for Parkinson's research.
Joel Porter - Young Citizen of the Year 2013
At just 18, Canterbury resident Joel Porter is already well-known for his caring and compassionate nature.
For the past three years, Joel has been a St John Ambulance cadet and is now a fully-trained officer who regularly volunteers at community events.
At 15, Joel made a stirring video highlighting the emotional turmoil he and his family experienced when coping with a miscarriage. The video was so powerful that it featured in a presentation at Parliament House, drawing widespread commendation from the Members of Parliament.
Maureen Russell - Volunteer of the Year 2013
Maureen has been a volunteer with Inclusion Melbourne since 2000, helping adults with intellectual disabilities to live fulfilling lives. She supports them through education and training as a tutor in literacy and numeracy at Inclusion Melbourne's Registered Training Organisation.
Maureen has consistently given her time, energy and expertise to the academic and social progress of many students over the years. She provides one-on-one tutoring and mentoring with commitment and patience, allowing each student to progress at his or her own pace.
Maureen also participates in the Leisure Buddy Program, continuing to support students after graduation with friendship and support.
Boroondara Outstanding Community Service Award
Lorri Beer
Lorri has been involved in Ashburton Legacy Widows' Club for almost ten years and has raised thousands of dollars to support Legacy families in the local area. Lorri was a founding member of the Disability Advisory Committee of Boroondara and has worked for the Boroondara Foundation in conferring scholarships to worthy recipients. Lorri has been a volunteer for the Inclusive Communities Program at the Kew Neighbourhood Learning Centre since 2000. She also volunteers several days a week in the Auburn Road St Vincent de Paul Society shop and the Trinity Manor Aged Care facility in Balwyn.
Jack Chan
Jack, at just 17 years of age, has shown exceptional leadership qualities volunteering at the Edmund Rice Family Camps. The camps are run for children with behavioural disorders, who come from disadvantaged backgrounds or have suffered some form of abuse. Jack's ability to communicate, encourage and show compassion has been a tremendous support to the camp children. His fast-track to group leader is testament to his commitment and ability.
Marge Currie
Marge has been a leader in the Scout Association for nearly 46 years and gives her time freely to work with the youth of Boroondara. Her tireless commitment is outstanding as she attends evening sessions and meetings after a full day at work and attending camps and Jamborees on weekends and during the holidays. In 2007 she was appointed to the position of Branch Council Member of Victorian Scouting. Marge is an outstanding communicator with exceptional relationship skills and currently mentors eight leaders in the Boroondara District. She has an enormous commitment to improving the experiences of the youth of our community.
Linden Hearn
Linden is the Principal of Rossbourne School, an independent school for students aged 11 to 17 with identifiable learning disorders. Linden's energy, leadership and distinguished contribution over nearly four decades at Rossbourne, and his commitment to education, is outstanding. Under Linden's leadership the school's reputation for high educational standards and an inclusive and welcoming environment has grown.
The school provides an individual program for each student and focuses on developing independent living and social skills, and fostering friendships. He recently advocated for a school zone in the area outside the school to ensure the safety of students. In 2005 he managed the campaign to raise the multi-million dollar purchase price of the school site when advised the Uniting Church wished to sell it.
Sarah Moss
Sarah, aged 17, is a year 12 student at Camberwell Girls Grammar and has significantly contributed to raising social justice issues and helping others both in her school and international communities. As a member of the Camberwell Girls Grammar exchange to Thailand, Sarah headed the fundraising charge which raised $6,000 for communities in Thailand. In Thailand the girls worked with children in orphanages, hospitals and detention centres as well as helped to build a small school.
Sarah has great leadership skills and has initiated a number of programs at school to raise awareness of social issues, like the school 'Winter Sleepover' where 50 girls slept 'rough' in support of refugees. Sarah's other contributions to the broader community include volunteering and teaching children with disabilities at E-motion, participating in Oak Tasmania, a project for children with learning disabilities and taking part in community gardening with Rotary and getting involved with Boroondara Volunteers on weekends.
Annette Subhani
Annette founded the Sharing Circles program in 2001 which brings children together from all backgrounds, of all ages, cultures and religions, from across Manningham, Boroondara and Whitehorse. The initiative allows children to learn from each other and to overcome division, prejudice and misunderstandings and to develop an appreciation for diversity and a sense of community. In December 2011 Annette received an Award for Excellence from the Victorian Multicultural Commission for her sustained and far reaching efforts with Sharing Circles. Annette was also involved in the Boroondara Interfaith Network in 2012 and assisted in organising the Visions of Oneness interfaith event held in May.
Jane Khoo - Special Commendation Award for Volunteering
Jane established the Flare Dance Company in 2007. Her vision was to create a not-for-profit dance group where dancers can come together to share their passion for dance by creating and performing original works, as well as raising funds for charity. She also hoped to add to the vibrancy of the local community by staging performances that would bring together people from all walks of life. She has been committed and resourceful in establishing the company and garnering support from many areas. Flare perform a full-length production every year, and have raised awareness and funds of approximately $8,000 for organisations such as Alzheimer's Australia and Autism Victoria from their ticket sales.