Brimbank’s most inspiring individuals have been recognised on Australia Day for their exceptional contribution and outstanding service to the local community.
The 2023 Brimbank Australia Day Awards were presented across two categories and have been awarded to:
The awards were presented by the Brimbank Mayor, Cr Bruce Lancashire at the Brimbank Citizenship Ceremony on Thursday 26 January at the Kevin Wheelahan Gardens in Sunshine.
The awards recognise the exceptional contributions, hard work, and determination of individuals making a positive difference within Brimbank.
As a respected community leader, Poonam is dedicated to supporting and empowering local women while breaking down gender barriers as a bus driver.
Despite her busy schedule, Poonam continues to operate a driving school business, and lead a non-profit group Women in Brimbank, which she founded to make a real difference to the lives of local migrant women, especially supporting vulnerable victims of domestic violence.
Kayla is an inspiring young leader who has contributed selflessly to her community and is a true role model for the local youth community.
Through her work with St John Ambulance, the Western Bulldog’s leadership program, and her local school community, Kayla organises programs and activities that empower and support young people across Brimbank.
As part of the Australia Day ceremony, 200 Brimbank residents took the oath to become some of the country’s newest citizens.
Poonam is an inspiring leader for the local Indian community who prioritises others and is ever eager to assist, motivate and support others.
She is held in high regard amongst women in Brimbank for the work she does with her own organisation and others in Brimbank.
Poonam operates a driving school business that supports women in Brimbank while breaking down gender barriers as a bus driver.
Despite her busy schedule, Poonam continues to lead a non-profit group that helps local women, in particular migrant women.
She is the founder and director of Women of Brimbank, a non-profit organisation with over 50 members. She also lends support to numerous other organisations in Brimbank, including Kororoit Creek, SCATS, and Polish clubs.
Poonam shows respect to everyone. She is constantly there to support and encourage the women in her group who struggle with daily tasks. She has provided safe spaces, taught skills to women from third-world nations, and assisted victims of domestic violence. She has been a pillar of strength for her community, motivating and encouraging others to strive for greater goals. She is an incredible role model in her community.
Poonam has also planned numerous occasions for women, including dancing events, Diwali, Holi, and Christmas. She also arranged a lot of events during the COVID-19 pandemic, to help and inspire people to feel better.
Poonam is a devoted community leader who continues to help and inspire people in her community.
Poonam shares her wonderful community spirit with Devika Chaudhary, her daughter and Young Citizen of the Year award winner last year, who is equally committed to supporting and advocating on behalf of her community.
Kayla is an amazing 17-year-old who has been volunteering with St John Ambulance for the past three years and is involved in various activities that benefit the community.
Kayla is confident, compassionate, and always willing to stand up for the underdog. She is determined to make the world a better place and is willing to put herself out there to help others.
After completing her 200 voluntary service hours with St John Ambulance, Kayla was recently promoted to senior leader. She also teaches younger cadets all about their role and first aid.
Kayla has been involved with the Western Bulldog’s leadership program for two years, which has led to her involvement in the Bark for Youth program.
Kayla has also been part of the student voice program at her high school since she was in year 7, and was awarded the ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership & Teamwork Award.
She has helped set up many programs aimed at the local youth community to promote student wellbeing, equality and provide a safe platform for students to raise issues with the school staff.
Kayla has also been involved in the Brimbank Council Youth Leadership program over the past few years.
In the past, she has been an ambassador for the YMCA swimathon open doors program raising money for swimming lessons for underprivileged and disabled youth.
Kayla suffers from a rare form of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and has spent many years raising awareness about the disorder through EDSAUS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Support in Australia), which supports people who suffer from connective tissues disorders.
Kayla goes above and beyond to achieve her goals. She is a true role model who will go on to do great things.
The 2023 Brimbank Australia Day Awards were presented across two categories and have been awarded to:
- Citizen of the Year: Poonam Singh
- Young Citizen of the Year: Kayla Parker
The awards were presented by the Brimbank Mayor, Cr Bruce Lancashire at the Brimbank Citizenship Ceremony on Thursday 26 January at the Kevin Wheelahan Gardens in Sunshine.
The awards recognise the exceptional contributions, hard work, and determination of individuals making a positive difference within Brimbank.
As a respected community leader, Poonam is dedicated to supporting and empowering local women while breaking down gender barriers as a bus driver.
Despite her busy schedule, Poonam continues to operate a driving school business, and lead a non-profit group Women in Brimbank, which she founded to make a real difference to the lives of local migrant women, especially supporting vulnerable victims of domestic violence.
Kayla is an inspiring young leader who has contributed selflessly to her community and is a true role model for the local youth community.
Through her work with St John Ambulance, the Western Bulldog’s leadership program, and her local school community, Kayla organises programs and activities that empower and support young people across Brimbank.
As part of the Australia Day ceremony, 200 Brimbank residents took the oath to become some of the country’s newest citizens.
Quotes to be attributed to Brimbank Mayor Cr Bruce Lancashire:
“On behalf of Council, I wish to extend my congratulations to the 2023 Brimbank Australia Day Award recipients for their outstanding contributions to the Brimbank community.
“I would also like to congratulate all of the nominees for their contributions to our great City, and to thank them for their commitment and valued work in the community.
“Council is pleased to publicly acknowledge the people who make a valuable and selfless contribution to our community.
“These awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the individuals working tirelessly to make Brimbank a wonderful place to live, work in and visit.”
About the winners
Citizen of the Year: This award is presented to a member of the community (over the age of 26) who has made a noteworthy contribution during the current year/or has given outstanding service to the local community over a number of years.
Winner: Poonam Singh
Poonam is an inspiring leader for the local Indian community who prioritises others and is ever eager to assist, motivate and support others.
She is held in high regard amongst women in Brimbank for the work she does with her own organisation and others in Brimbank.
Poonam operates a driving school business that supports women in Brimbank while breaking down gender barriers as a bus driver.
Despite her busy schedule, Poonam continues to lead a non-profit group that helps local women, in particular migrant women.
She is the founder and director of Women of Brimbank, a non-profit organisation with over 50 members. She also lends support to numerous other organisations in Brimbank, including Kororoit Creek, SCATS, and Polish clubs.
Poonam shows respect to everyone. She is constantly there to support and encourage the women in her group who struggle with daily tasks. She has provided safe spaces, taught skills to women from third-world nations, and assisted victims of domestic violence. She has been a pillar of strength for her community, motivating and encouraging others to strive for greater goals. She is an incredible role model in her community.
Poonam has also planned numerous occasions for women, including dancing events, Diwali, Holi, and Christmas. She also arranged a lot of events during the COVID-19 pandemic, to help and inspire people to feel better.
Poonam is a devoted community leader who continues to help and inspire people in her community.
Poonam shares her wonderful community spirit with Devika Chaudhary, her daughter and Young Citizen of the Year award winner last year, who is equally committed to supporting and advocating on behalf of her community.
Young Citizen of the Year: This award is presented to a young person (under the age of 26) who has made a noteworthy contribution during the current year and/or has given outstanding service to the local community over a number of years.
Winner: Kayla Parker
Kayla is an amazing 17-year-old who has been volunteering with St John Ambulance for the past three years and is involved in various activities that benefit the community.
Kayla is confident, compassionate, and always willing to stand up for the underdog. She is determined to make the world a better place and is willing to put herself out there to help others.
After completing her 200 voluntary service hours with St John Ambulance, Kayla was recently promoted to senior leader. She also teaches younger cadets all about their role and first aid.
Kayla has been involved with the Western Bulldog’s leadership program for two years, which has led to her involvement in the Bark for Youth program.
Kayla has also been part of the student voice program at her high school since she was in year 7, and was awarded the ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership & Teamwork Award.
She has helped set up many programs aimed at the local youth community to promote student wellbeing, equality and provide a safe platform for students to raise issues with the school staff.
Kayla has also been involved in the Brimbank Council Youth Leadership program over the past few years.
In the past, she has been an ambassador for the YMCA swimathon open doors program raising money for swimming lessons for underprivileged and disabled youth.
Kayla suffers from a rare form of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and has spent many years raising awareness about the disorder through EDSAUS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Support in Australia), which supports people who suffer from connective tissues disorders.
Kayla goes above and beyond to achieve her goals. She is a true role model who will go on to do great things.