A woman combining many creative talents with a singular passion for advocacy and community service has been named Citizen of the Year at the City of Wollongong Awards on Thursday night (6 February).
Malika Elizabeth Reese collected the city's highest citizen honour for her efforts in various creative and community service fields, drawing on her passion for music, storytelling and education to inform her work as an advocate for victim-survivors of violence.
Malika has been a tireless campaigner for an end to violence against women and children and has performed at countless local and national vigils for victim-survivors.
She played a key role in the inaugural Australian Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Recovery and Healing Conference in Wollongong and has worked extensively with the Illawarra Women's Health Centre and Women Illawarra.
Compassion and education are at the heart of her other creative pursuits including her ensemble show 'Church of the Clitori' that featured on the Adelaide and Sydney Fringe Festival stages, and her work in progress 'A Gentle Talk About Death for Little Ones' through the MerrigongX Artists program.
Malika is also a funeral celebrant and leader of the Tender Funerals Community Choir that has performed at events such as Voices for Gaza and National Reconciliation Week.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said Malika's many passionate endeavours warranted the city's highest recognition.
"Malika's desire to utilise her many creative talents in the service of social advocacy and community service makes her a special individual, and worthy recipient of this honour," Cr Brown said.
"Her tireless efforts in supporting and empowering victim-survivors of violence is to be truly admired, as is her passion for her many artistic endeavours and contribution to the Wollongong Arts community."
In other awards, Jack Brown was named Young Citizen of the Year for his work with mental health and suicide prevention charity Talk2mebro.
Jack founded and is yet to miss a single one of Talk2Mebro's free weekly community catch-ups that support men and women struggling with mental health issues and promote mentally healthy lifestyles.
Since losing a family member to suicide in 2018, Jack has become a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, an applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer and is now nearing completion of a psychology degree as well as working full time with a government organisation that works with veterans with PTSD.
The ceremony also saw Ken Habak (OAM) named Senior Citizen of the Year for his efforts as chair of the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI), a position he has held since 2001.
He also served as Regional Chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia from 2010 to 2014 and has been involved in various other forums and roundtables advocating for multicultural communities.
Ken's stewardship has seen the MCCI expand its efforts to Canberra and the Shoalhaven, uniting over 80 ethnic and culturally diverse communities, promoting inclusivity, cultural understanding, and community connectedness.
With awards presented in a total of 11 categories, Cr Brown congratulated all recipients and thanked them for their service to the city.
"It was no easy task determining the award winners given the number of worthy nominees who all deserve recognition for their contribution to life in our wonderful city," Cr Brown said.
"I think we can all be very grateful to be part of a community boasting so many outstanding people, which is what the City of Wollongong Awards are proud to recognise."
City of Wollongong Awards honours list
Community Group of the Year
- Need a Feed
Need a Feed provides innovative food programs that bring individuals from all walks of life together. From their weekly Community Lunches to the Breakfast Buddies program, Need a Feed provides encouragement, stability and support. Each shared meal is an opportunity to break down social barriers and build a stronger more compassionate Wollongong.
Arts and Cultural Achievement Award
- Clifton School of Arts
Clifton School of Arts is a volunteer organisation that has been responsible for maintaining the heritage building and hosting numerous exhibitions, music events, creative projects and other forms of community gatherings. The Clifton School of Arts provides an affordable venue that supports local creatives.
Diversity and Inclusion Award
- Kristy Thomas
A proud Yuin / Gunai Kurnai woman who, through her numerous diverse roles, champions First Nations representation and community unity. Kristy is Centre Manager at Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation, Chair of the Warrawong NAIDOC Committee, a board member of the Yuin Fitt Women's Koori Knockout team, and treasurer on the board of Waminda South Coast Women's Health to name just a few of her roles.
Environmental Achievement Award
- Karlie Zec
Through her business Tiny Tins, Karlie takes a holistic approach to waste management, encompassing education, fundraising, and innovative solutions, showcasing new approaches to foster a cleaner, more sustainable and resilient Wollongong community. Also, through her fundraising, she's contributed more than a quarter of a million dollars to Illawarra Convoy.
Innovation Achievement Award
- Robofit
Founded by spinal cord injury survivor Dan Hillyer and his wife Maryanne Harris, Robofit uses advanced rehabilitation technology like the Hybrid assistive limb exoskeleton to provide therapy treatments to local clients who suffer from spinal cord injuries, stroke brain injury, MS and Cerebral Palsy.
Rising Star Award
Jurni Young
Jurni has a cadetship with the Wollongong St John's Ambulance team, providing health and first aid services at events and in the local community. Jurni is also a volunteer leader at Tarrawanna Salvation Army two afternoons a week and, at school, has taken on a mentoring role supporting younger students with their projects and coursework.
Sports Achievement Award
- Rod Broad
Each year, Rod organises and hosts two of the biggest Indigenous Rugby League Carnivals in the state; the Kids in Care Cup and the Battle of the Countries. These events bring Aboriginal people together to represent their families, their country and their Elders. The Kids in Care Cup also raises awareness of Indigenous infants removed from their parents care while supporting those kids to spend time with their mob.
Wollongong to the World
- Hysata
Born out of the University of Wollongong, Hysata develops technology to help industry transition to cleaner energy sources. Employing close to 100 staff by leveraging Wollongong's manufacturing base, Hysata also engages with local schools to discuss careers in science and technology.
Lord Mayor Award
- Sarah Rowan
This award is chosen by the Lord Mayor to recognise someone striving for excellence in our community. Sarah has overcome a range of health issues to become an acclaimed speed painter and motivational speaker, and has painted many local murals including this year's stunning mural of Saya and Kai Sakakibara in the centre of Helensburgh.
