Ted Gibbs is Citizen of the Year
A tireless volunteer who has been serving the local community since the late 1930’s has been named Citizen of the Year in the City of Kingston’s 2022 Awards.
Always cheerful and friendly, Ted Gibbs has provided his knowledge, skills, passion and efforts to the St Augustine’s (Mentone) and St David’s (Moorabbin) Anglican Church communities across numerous roles; the Salvation Army as a member of the collection committee, including as district chairman for over 20 years; the Masonic Lodge; the 8th South Moorabbin Scouts as president and a committee member; and the former Moorabbin High School as president and a member of the Advisory Committee.
Ted was also a co-founder of the Mentone Women’s Refuge, the inaugural president of the City of Kingston Interfaith Network, and a previous president of the Kingston for Human Rights Committee – he is currently treasurer of this committee.
By all accounts, the highlight of Ted’s year is dressing up as Santa and bringing gifts to the children at the church playgroups.
Kingston’s Outstanding Citizen for 2022 – Robyn Cochrane
Robyn Cochrane, and the extraordinary support she has provided to Kingston community organisations over the past 25 years, was recognised with the Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award.
Robyn has served as chair of the Highett Bendigo Bank for 13 years, during which she has overseen substantial growth in the community grants program and the funding of a community outreach officer at the community branch.
She has also served as secretary of the Bayside Glen Eira Kingston Local Learning Education Network, which importantly supports young people to find alternate pathways to the VCE; in local footy, netball and cricket clubs and the former Highett Preschool; and as a basketball coach.
A driving force behind the Higher Ground and Livingston Street Festival events, Robyn also extended her work to the running of the ‘Hullo Neighbour’ campaign that focused on helping isolated people in the Highett community during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Kingston’s Community Group of the Year for 2022 – Pets of the Homeless Australia
Pets of the Homeless (POTH) was established in 2015 by Yvonne Hong after she recognised the lack of resources for pet owners who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
POTH is the largest charity of its type in Victoria and was the first in Australia to establish a dedicated Pet Food Bank. It is still run by Yvonne herself, along with one part-time employee and a group of dedicated volunteers.
Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said the award winners were selected from a fantastic group of nominees, all of whom had helped make Kingston such a strong and connected community.
“The award recipients, and indeed all of the nominees, have made outstanding contributions across a wide range of areas in Kingston,” Cr Staikos said.
“We have some amazing volunteers in Kingston and these awards are a great way to thank them for their efforts and acknowledge the positive impact they make.”
A citizenship ceremony, where 21 people became new Australian citizens, was also a highlight of this morning’s breakfast at the Kingston City Hall.
