A dedicated community advocate and three inspiring environmentalists have been named as Hobsons Bay’s citizens of the year.
Lorraine Harrison has been named the 2024 Citizen of the Year, while students Ada Goldenberg, Emmaline Soliman and Emily Vella share the Young Citizen of the Year title.
About Lorraine Harrison
Lorraine is a great example of compassion, kindness and goodwill. She has held many leadership roles in Hobsons Bay and is currently the convenor of the West Over-40s Lesbians’ Group, and co-convenor of the local branch of ABC Friends.
Lorraine was the president of Friends of Newport Lakes for 10 years (2007 to 2018) and is still active in the group, coordinating the monthly working bees. She is also a strong advocate for survivors of elder abuse and was a Court Network volunteer at the Melbourne Magistrates Court during COVID. This work involved supporting a diverse range of court users using her natural empathy, non-judgmental manner, cultural sensitivity and positivity.
Lorraine is also a volunteer with the State Emergency Service; is part of the National Ageing Research Institute’s community advisory group; and is a mentor for older women seeking paid work, with Council on the Ageing.
About Ada Goldenberg, Emmaline Soliman and Emily Vella
The three friends from St Mary’s Primary School in Williamstown developed an idea for an app that tells you which public litter bin to put your rubbish in.
The app idea encourages users to take a photo of their litter to find out which of the coloured bins it should go in and then receive reward points which can be redeemed through local businesses.
Ada, Emmaline and Emily created the idea as part of an annual STEM competition run by the Tech Girls Movement Foundation. The competition involved identifying and solving a problem in the community by developing an app idea.
Their idea was recognised as aligning with the United Nations sustainable development goals and the girls, who were the only Victorian finalists, won the United Nations award as part of the competition.
Young Citizen of the Year runner-up:
Sharla Eddelston has been commended for her significant contribution to Hobsons Bay through her youth advocacy work, helping deliver a number of programs about mindfulness, general mental health education and healthy social media use to young people.
Quotes attributable to Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Matt Tyler:
“Our citizens of the year are great examples of community spirit and caring for the people and spaces around us. They are worthy winners of our top civic honours for 2024.
“Lorraine has been a passionate contributor in Hobsons Bay for many years. She has been a wonderful leader, advocate and compassionate volunteer across a number of different spaces.
“Ada, Emmaline and Emily are a great inspiration for young people across our community. Their creativity and passion for improving our environment has already been rightfully recognised by the United Nations, and now we are proud to call them our young citizens of the year.”
Quotes attributable to 2024 Hobsons Bay Citizen of the Year, Lorraine Harrison:
“It is a great honour to be awarded the Citizen of the Year. Being part of the community is a great passion, I get so much out of meeting people and helping them in any way I can.
“Our community is made up of so many great people who do and achieve wonderful things. I’m proud to be part of it and to receive this recognition for the part I play in it, however big or small.”
