A high-end couture designer from Five Dock, a therapist with over 20 years’ experience, and a young cast member of Pippin are among the City of Canada Bay’s 2020 Citizen of the Year Award winners.
“Mary Jo McVeigh, CEO of both Cara House and CaraCare, an accomplished speaker, and the author of two books, has been awarded our 2020 Citizen of the Year Award,” he said.
“Mary Jo worked hard during 2020 to adapt Cara House and CaraCare services in light of the pandemic. By minimising face to face contact and pioneering online therapeutic services, she ensured quality care continued while upholding community safety.”
Other residents honoured at the ceremony included: Arts & Culture Citizen of the Year, Nicky Apostolopoulos, the face of high-end couture designer Velani by Nicky; Young Citizen of the Year, William Wheeler, who recently performed in Pippin at the Lyric Theatre; and Sports Citizen of the Year, John Critchley, a continuous active member of the Five Dock RSL Junior Rugby League Football Club for over 30 years.
“Despite this year’s ceremony looking a little different, we had a wonderful COVID safe morning welcoming our new citizens and celebrating our award winners.”
Citizen of the Year 2020 — Mary Jo McVeigh
Mary Jo has worked as a trained trauma therapist for over 20 years. She is the founder and CEO of Cara House, a Concord counselling centre for healing, discovery and growth. In May 2014, she also co-founded the charity, CaraCare, whose mission is to provide fully funded trauma counselling through group therapy to assist the healing of children and young adults whose lives have been scarred by abuse.
She is currently completing her PHD in Social Work at Sydney University, which focuses on the human rights of children and young people.
Arts and Culture Citizen of the Year 2020 — Nicky Apostolopoulos of Velani by Nicky
Nicky has been creating couture designs in the inner west of Sydney for over 30 years. Her work from Five Dock based label Velani has dominated Australian red carpets for years with her designs a stylist and celebrity favourite at the Logie Awards, Dally M Awards, and Brownlow Awards. Her fuchsia pink ruffle-laden gown was worn by Belinda Bromilow at the 2019 Oscars, where it stood out in a sea of gowns considered a holy grail of red carpets.
On receiving the Arts and Culture Citizen of the Year award, Nicky said she is “absolutely blown away and humbled by this”, and “forever grateful to be blessed doing something that I absolutely love”.
Young Citizen of the Year 2020 — William Wheeler
William Wheeler is a 12 year old singer and musical theatre performer from Rodd Point. He recently performed in Pippin at the Lyric Theatre and is rehearsing with Opera Australia for their upcoming summer 2021 season of TOSCA at the Sydney Opera House.
Early last year William came up with the idea to send Pokémon cards to kids in bushfire hit communities. With a little help from the team at Anime at Abbotsford, the support of his school and a Facebook post, Will managed to collect 45,000 donated cards which were distributed to children via schools in affected regions, each with a handwritten note by William.
Off the stage, William can be found perfecting tricks on his scooter, BMX and skateboard at Five Dock Skate Park.
Sports Citizen of the Year 2020 — John Critchley
John Critchley is a legend amongst the local rugby league community, and has been a continuous active member of the Club Five Dock RSL Junior Rugby League Football Club (JRLFC) for over 30 years. He is the current Director of Club Five Dock RSL and current President of Five Dock RSL JRLFC.
John has coached the U6s Five Dock Junior Rugby team for over 20 years and still remains their current coach. John is a great advocate for the Five Dock RSL Community Club and an outstanding mentor to his peers and the junior members of the Rugby League Club.
