Community Citizen of the Year Awards Honour Roll

Citizen of the Year Awards celebrate the people of the Esperance region who go above and beyond to make our community stronger, kinder and more connected. These awards recognise locals who generously give their time, share their skills and talents, and inspire others through their actions.

From volunteering and community support to education, health, sport, the arts, the environment, business and social inclusion, every contribution helps make Esperance a better place to live.

Each year, we shine a light on individuals whose efforts make a real difference. Recent recipients include Zen Frost (2026), recognised for providing food support across the community and long-term sponsorship of local groups, and Connor Davies (2021 Youth Award), acknowledged for his proactive work in environmental and sustainability initiatives.

Every nominee and award recipient reflects the true spirit of Esperance - and their stories remind us that one person can have a powerful impact.

2026

COMMUNITY SENIOR GROUP / EVENT
Peter Harkness Marilyn Hart Salmon Gums 100 Year Anniversary
Lenore Wood Neil Livingstone (awarded) Nulsen Readers
Fiona Ryan Esperance Mother's Day Classic (awarded)
Ingrid Riollot
Jake Meadley
Amy-Lee Walter
Zen Frost (awarded)

2025

COMMUNITY SENIOR GROUP / EVENT
Sarsby Martin Win Bingham (awarded) Esperance Fundraising Group (awarded)
Amy Walter Rod Taylor Esperance No Limits Netball Program
Phil Longmire Rosemary Wanless
Tanya Rea
Fiona McDonald
David Gray
Andrew Waters
Lynn Kidd (awarded)

2024

COMMUNITY YOUTH SENIOR GROUP / EVENT
Angela Hill Hannah Lauritsen (awarded) George Starcevich (awarded) Esperance Senior Citizen Centre (awarded)
Anthony Wynne Caleb Shipp Glenn Churchland TS Kybra Navy Cadets
Caitlyn Edward Joe Franzone Les Miserables Cast & Crew
Brian Gallop Tess Adams
Belinda Rose
Trudy Pengilly (awarded)

2023

COMMUNITY YOUTH SENIOR GROUP / EVENT
Carmel Halls Dane Holdman (awarded) Veronica (Click) Lavars (awarded) Esperance Care Services (awarded)
Tracey Young Nicolie Thomas South Regional TAFE Esperance Campus
Sam Starcevich Kirkley Whiting Esperance Wildflower Society
Nuala Dowling Curtis Mayfield TOR SHED - Conrad Lowe
Helen Staer Esperance Community Singers
Sue Mitchell & Cris Bradley
Jamie Saunders
Delcia Hubble
Meredith Waters (awarded)

2022

COMMUNITY YOUTH SENIOR GROUP / EVENT
Michaela Maloney Imogen Stone (awarded) Ewin Stewart (awarded) Esperance Brass Band (awarded)
Jo Aberle Zeta Steel Jennifer Tolhurst RFDS Woodchoppers
Megan Warren Courtney Blampied Frank Antoniolli
Billy Vibart Paige Fillmore Brian Warren
Mel Maguire Robert Dummermuth
Janine Button (awarded)

2021

COMMUNITY YOUTH SENIOR GROUP / EVENT
Leisa Docherty Connor Davies (awarded) Sally Ashbil & Jan McKenzie (awarded) Esperance Education Support Centre (awarded)
Kyron Smithson Bianca Bambra Esperance Aged Care Facility
Penny Boardman Jordan Major Senior Citizens Centre
Mick Rose Megan Kelman
Mitch Capelli
Bronte Vincent
Kylie Bailye (awarded)

2020

COMMUNITY Senior GROUP / EVENT
Jaimen Hudson Susan Starr (awarded) St John Ambulance Esperance sub-Centre (awarded)
Noel Fleming Jan McKenzie Farmers Across Borders
Victoria Brown Desmond & Elizabeth Plecas
Patricia Watts
Susan Meyer
Christiane Smith (awarded)

2010 - 2019

2019

COMMUNITY YOUTH SENIOR
Michele Stokes Maddilyn McGrinder Helen Scott (awarded)
Rick Capelli Josh Van Staden Helen Young
Michael Harding Stanley Halls
Grantley Creasy Rory Close (awarded)
Emily Woodland
Paul Moore
Roger Robertson
Tim Laycock
Kyron Smithson
Erica Austen (awarded)

2018

COMMUNITY SENIOR GROUP / EVENT
Victoria Brown (ineligible) David Ford Saving Animals From Euthanasia (SAFE) Esperance
Paul Gaughan (awarded) Ewin Stewart (awarded) Apex Club of Esperance (awarded)

2017

COMMUNITY YOUTH SENIOR GROUP / EVENT
Shane Rothnie Suzanne Jose (awarded) John Crawley (awarded) Esperance Theatre Guild and the Cabaret Musical (awarded)
Neil Livingstone Sarah King Sally Ashbill Saving Animals From Euthanasia (SAFE) Esperance
Erica Austen The Jetty Group
Carmel Halls
Brenton Holthouse

Michael Harding (awarded)


2016

COMMUNITY YOUTH GROUP / EVENT
Marni Topping Michael Ridgeway (awarded) Esperance Bushfire Brigades (awarded)
Dennis Kelly Bay of Isles Community Outreach (BOICO)
Christine Graham Saving Animals From Euthanasia (SAFE) Esperance
Christine Smith
Barry Wroth (awarded)

2015

COMMUNITY GROUP / EVENT
Derek Clarke Follow the Dream Partnership Program Success
Russell Palmer (awarded) Cannery Arts Centre (awarded)

2014

COMMUNITY YOUTH GROUP / EVENT
Graham Cooper Amelia Fitzgerald (awarded) Festival of the Wind (awarded)
Christine Graham Esperance Care Services
Judy Paterson Follow the Dream Partnerships Success
Janet Goodwin
David Thomas
Phillip Jones
Christopher Meyer (awarded)

2013

COMMUNITY YOUTH GROUP / EVENT
Berness Roost Leon Stone (posthumous) (awarded) Seniors Theatre Group (awarded)
Barbara Grieves
Joseph Rose
Susan Mayfield
Terri Tholstrup
Neville Mulgat
Pam Gardner (awarded)

2012

COMMUNITY YOUTH GROUP / EVENT
Chris Brien Kyle Hodgkinson (awarded) Esperance - Goldfields Surf Lifesaving Club (awarded)
Tom Parkins (awarded)

2011

COMMUNITY  GROUP / EVENT
Joyce Pearce CT Scanner Group (awarded)
Geraldine Bright
Dorothy Hayes
Ellen Saltmarsh (awarded)

2010

COMMUNITY
Geoff Males
John Middleton
Margaret Wertheimer
Dr Wally Byrne (awarded)

2000 - 2009


2009 
COMMUNITY
Len Marsh
Graham Gath
Michelle Crisp
Robert & Val Pitman
Jenneane Starcevich
Ian Scott
David Green (awarded)

2008 

COMMUNITY YOUTH GROUP / EVENT
Sally Castledine (awarded) Elaine Morcombe (awarded) Scaddan Pioneer Park Restoration Group (awarded)

2007

COMMUNITY
Ian Duncan
Lance Shearer
Michelle Crisp
Coral Turley
Greg Hard
Lorraine Bale
Wendy Harkness (awarded)

2006 - 

GROUP / EVENT
Condingup Volunteer Ambulance Officers Group
Vive La Recherche
Esperance Rural Leadership (awarded)

2005

COMMUNITY YOUTH GROUP / EVENT
Andris Strautins Anya-Marie Polmear (awarded) Seniors Recreation Council (awarded)
Graham Mackenzie
Roy Meagher
Pamela Kerr (awarded)

2004 

COMMUNITY GROUP / EVENT
Clive Cartledge Emergency Services Fun Day 2024
Lochie Drummond Esperance and Districts Agricultural Society (awarded)
Phil Shelton
Roger Lewis
Louise Gray
Gail Yorkshire-Selby
Janette Geagea (awarded)

2003

COMMUNITY  YOUTH  GROUP / EVENT
Nola Smith Kim Brenton (awarded) Nulsen Primary School Skipping Team (awarded)
Dorothy Andre
Bob Piggott
Brett Thorp
Pastor Sonny Graham (awarded)

2002

COMMUNITY  GROUP / EVENT
Alva Courtis (awarded) The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe production by Esperance Community Arts and Esperance Theatre Guild (awarded)

2001

COMMUNITY GROUP / EVENT
Geraldine Bright Festival of the Wind
John Crawley
Andy Wills
John Coates
Ronald (Doc) Reynolds
Phil Woolett (awarded)

2000

COMMUNITY  YOUTH 
Bob Jones Katie-Lee Pearce

1970 - 1999

1999

COMMUNITY 
Phil Woollett
Ronald (Doc) Reynolds
John (Pancho) Harding
Heather Gee (awarded)

1998

COMMUNITY  YOUTH 

Joan Colliver

Claire Penman
Allan Timmins
John Bridges
Sue Cowcher
Ron Taylor
Billie Andrews (awarded)

1997 - CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Sylvia Boast

1996 - CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Joan Smith

1986 - CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Theo Daw

Help Us Fill the Gaps

This information has been researched and provided by the Esperance Museum. If you have additional details about past Citizen of the Year nominees or award recipients, we’d love to hear from you.

Please email shire@esperance.wa.gov.au to help us preserve and celebrate these important community stories.

Nominate a Local Hero

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised for their contribution to our community?

Nominations for the Community Citizen of the Year Awards are now open.
Submit your nomination online via the Nomination Form Link or pick up a printed form at the Shire Administration Office.

Let’s say thank you to the people who make Esperance a better place for us all.