Tackling anti-bullying behaviour in our schools, improving access and equity for refugees, supporting our youth, and conserving our natural environment are among the major causes championed by Liverpool City Council's 2021 Order of Liverpool Awards recipients.
"Council's Order of Liverpool Awards is one of the highest honours we have to showcase the incredible work happening every day in our community," Mayor Waller said.
"Much of the work done by this year's recipients have changed people's lives in the most positive way. We believe this shouldn't go unnoticed and is worth celebrating."
A common thread among many of the 2021 recipients is their long-term support for the physical, social and emotional growth of the future generations of Liverpool. For example, Adam Washbourne received the prestigious Companion of the Order of Liverpool for his ongoing efforts to support child abuse survivors and combat bullying. Meanwhile Giammarco Testa, Phillip Raish and Julie Low have each dedicated time and energy to help Liverpool's youth learn and finesse new skills whether it's a new language, workplace experience or general life skills through the Scouts Program.
Some recipients have focused on a subset of the community including Jimmy Mtashar who has worked for over 15 years to improve access and equity for services for refugees in the community. Likewise, Armogam Murgan has helped advance the Indian and Hindu communities within Liverpool through his creation and leadership of several organisations.
Other Award recipients have dedicated their time to the preservation of Liverpool's rich heritage and history including Major Walter Robinson and Kathleen Smith who have been involved in various capacities in local heritage groups and societies for many years.
"The one thing that all our recipients have in common is their commitment to making Liverpool, as a community, a better place to live, work and play. Without a doubt, Liverpool is a better place with these wonderful individuals in it," Mayor Waller said.
Depending on the length of voluntary service, the below recipients have received one of the following; the Companion of the Order of Liverpool (over 15 years), the Officer of the Order of Liverpool (over 10 years) and the Member of the Order of Liverpool (over five years).
Companion of the Order of Liverpool
Adam Washbourne
Adam is leading the fight against bullying and child abuse in Liverpool as the founder and president of the not-for-profit charity Fighters Against Child Abuse Australia (FACAA). Adam personally counsels and trains survivors at KMA Champion Martial Arts in Liverpool as well as working with youth workers to run anti-bullying programs in local schools. Adam has also helped change several laws by making submissions to legal reform commissions to help child abuse survivors who are trying to get their abusers convicted.
Jimmy Mtashar
Jimmy has made a significant contribution to the Liverpool community through his endeavours, including raising awareness regarding domestic violence as part of White Ribbon Day. He has also advocated for greater access and equity amongst services in his work with refugee settlement and has organised events as part of Refugee Week and Harmony Day to promote multiculturalism in Liverpool. He has also established a Homework Support Program for vulnerable students to ensure they have adequate support.
Tony Felgate
Tony is committed to making Liverpool a better place to live through the conservation, restoration and regeneration of the natural environment. As leader of the Amalfi Park Environment Group, he has devoted more than 18 years to ensuring the park is an attractive site for all who visit and a suitable habitat for native animals. In addition, Tony dedicates his time to events such as Clean Up Australia Day and community planting days. He is also passionate about Liverpool's history and volunteers at Liverpool Regional Museum to share the City's rich history with those who visit.
Office of the Order of Liverpool
Julie Low
Julie has been committed to the physical, social and emotional development of young people in Liverpool for over 25 years. She has been devising and delivering Scout programs as well as countless other activities during weekends and school holidays. She held the role of Assistant Leader and Leader at 1st Green Valley Club for 25 years, before becoming District Leader for the Liverpool District, where she has been for the past four years.
Kathleen Smith
Kathleen's dedication to the preservation of the heritage and history of Liverpool has earned her this recognition. She was among the first members of the Liverpool Family History Association (renamed to the Liverpool Genealogy Society Inc.) in 1987. Fast forward more than thirty years, Kathleen is still an active participant in this society holding the positions of Librarian, President, Secretary and acting Treasurer. She is also an active member of the Liverpool District Historical Society. She has assisted with several projects for Council and the heritage societies in which she is involved, from recordkeeping and preparing books to visiting historical places and arranging guest speakers.
Michael Byrne
Michael is committed to civic affairs and has participated in a number of community committees and associations in an effort to improve the area in which he resides. He has been involved in the community for more than 40 years as a member and then President of the former Liverpool East Ward Progress Association and currently as President of the East Liverpool Progress Association.
Giammarco (Marco) Testa
Marco began his community involvement at Scalabrini Village where he led a strong team of volunteers in providing emotional, social and recreational support to frail members of the community. In 2016, Marco founded the Marco Polo Language School which delivers courses for K-12 students and adults five days a week. Marco also founded Allora! Italian Australian News, a new Italian bi-weekly newspaper for the South West where he volunteers as Deputy Editor. The newspaper has over 25,000 readers.
Joseph Cartisano
Joseph has worked tirelessly to assist several organisations in their endeavours to raise much needed funds, including The Peter Brock Foundation, Camp Quality, Ronald McDonald House, Crohn's & Colitis Australia, the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research and many more. Despite suffering from a chronic and debilitating illness, John has remained dedicated to helping others and will never hesitate to lend a hand.
Member of the Order of Liverpool
Phillip Raish
Phillip is passionate about developing the local industry and inspiring young entrepreneurs in the region, participating in the Miller High automotive shed for a number of years offering advice, mentorship, guidance and donating his time and resources. Philip also supports students from local high schools through work experience providing hands on industry experience.
Major Walter Robinson OAM
Major Walter Robinson has been an active member of Moorebank Heritage Group and is involved in all the professional exhibitions carried out by this group. He is always eager to participate in events and offer his support regarding military protocol and procedure.
Armogam Murgan
For many decades, Armogam has lived to serve the Indian and Hindu community within Liverpool. In 1975, Armogam founded one of the first Hindu organisations in Australia, the Shree Sanatan Dharmam Sabha of NSW, and served in various capacities for the organisation including General Secretary and Chairperson of the Board of Governors. In 2001, he founded the Satyam Shivam Sundaram Cultural Society, a charitable organisation supporting impoverished and disaster-stricken communities in Fiji and served as its first president. Armogam's creation of the sacred spot in Haigh Park, which he named 'Satyam Ghat', was among the chief reasons which also earned him an Order of Australia medal in 2018.
