The City of Canada Bay has announced the recipients of its 2022 Citizen of the Year Awards.
“These awards are an opportunity to acknowledge the work of remarkable people across our community,” City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas said.
“This year I was honoured to present the Citizen of the Year award to Keith Cox OAM who’s work in the medical field has positively impacted the lives of many members of our community.”
Other residents honoured at the ceremony included Arts and Culture Citizen of the Year: Melle Smith-Haimona; Young Citizen of the Year: Hannah Kiefer and Sports Citizen of the Year: Luca Tropiano.
2022 Citizen of the Year – Keith Cox OAM
Keith is a Drummoyne resident and was a highly qualified nurse who dedicated 50 years of his life to patient care, mentoring cancer nurses, writing research papers and addressing medical conferences around the world. In 2007 Keith was awarded an OAM for his services to nursing and community volunteer work.
Keith remains involved with various fundraising committees and charitable organisations, and he volunteers in several capacities. Keith has provided expert care and comfort to countless people facing the unimaginable and is truly deserving of the City of Canada Bay 2022 Citizen of the Year award.
2022 Arts and Culture Citizen of the Year – Melle Smith-Haimona
Melle is an emerging Ngunnawal artist and mother of two. She has completed three art commissions for the City of Canada Bay this year, sharing Aboriginal artworks with our community and reflecting upon what it means to be a local Aboriginal woman and mother.
Growing up on Country in the City of Canada Bay, Melle has an intimate knowledge of our foreshore, parks and people. She is also passing on her knowledge of the Ngunnawal people and culture to her children to ensure they grow up knowing their traditions.
She successfully combines a diverse art practice with a strong and positive presence online. Particularly remarkable over the past year is her online art challenge which engaged many members of the community.
Melle has also worked on the The Drover’s Wife (2021) and supported this movie’s launch with artworks. She also has a thriving online art shop based from her Concord home.
2022 Young Citizen of the Year – Hannah Kiefer
Hannah is a 17 year old student and has advanced significantly in the field of Taekwondo.
In the last two years Hannah has competed in national and international competitions. Some of her results include:
- Gold medal at National Competition in 2021 and 2022
- Bronze medal at the Junior World Championships in Bulgaria
- Bronze and Silver medals in junior and senior divisions at the Oceania Championships in Tahiti.
Hannah teaches at Musa Taekwondo in Five Dock, inspiring local youth to take up the sport, not just for competition but also for personal development. Hannah has significant achievements in the local, national and international space and sets a great example for her school community at Concord High and local youth in the area.
2022 Sports Citizen of the Year – Luca Tropiano
Luca began playing soccer at the age of 5 for Five Dock Football Club before playing for APIA Leichhardt for the following 8 years. He advanced to the Skills Acquisition Program then onto the National Premier League 1, always playing a year above his age group.
During these years, Luca was selected to play for NSW at the National Football Tournament in 2022 and for the NSW Football Talent Support Program. He won the Most Valuable Player Award at the Sydney International Cup at age 9, and then went on with his team to win the event in 2019.
Luca is currently playing for the Western Sydney Wanderers Youth Team 2023 in the U16s at the age of 14. Luca was also part of the Nick Rizzo Academy United Kingdom Tour and has won several tournaments such as the Diamond Cup, Sydney International Cup and Futboltec Invitational. Luca has lived in the City of Canada Bay area for over 10 years and currently attends St Patrick's College in Strathfield where he received the 2022 Footballer of the Year Award for his school.
