Karratha community champions honoured on Australia Day

City of Karratha residents and special guests gathered to honour their most dedicated local community members at an Australia Day awards ceremony this morning.

Committed school and sports groups volunteer Tammy Tennant was awarded the City’s 2018 citizen of the year for her many contributions, including to Baynton West Primary School, the Karratha BMX Cub, West Pilbara Cricket Association, Dampier Sharks junior football and local teeball.

The young citizen of the year prize went to local teenager Navyaa Shukla, 17, for her hours of community service work and leadership skills.

Other winners included long-term residents and volunteers Gary and Glee Slee, environmental volunteer Dan Pedersen, Karratha Bowls Club volunteer Graeme Wilkes and the Karratha Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service.

City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long thanked the award winners for their work in the local community.

“These grass-roots heroes are the fabric of our community and I am very proud to be able to recognise each of them at our City of Karratha Australia Day Awards,” he said.

“It is inspiring to see so many wonderful people in our community giving freely of their time and effort to improve the experiences of others.”

There are a host of Australia Day activities on around the City area today, including a community sundowner at the Leisureplex from 5pm and an ocean water polo match on Malus Island running all day.

For a full rundown of the Australia Day festivities, pick up next Wednesday’s copy of The Pilbara News.