AFTER over a decade of work helping the needy, Lauren Hornby has been recognised as the Citizen of the Year by Frankston Council.
Ms Hornby has been leading the street outreach work at charity organisation Life-Gate since 2008.
“It kind of hasn’t sunk in, it’s great,” Ms Hornby said.
“I have the privilege of working with Life-Gate based in Frankston, we reach out to troubled individuals and families. I help head up street outreach services that we do, which provide programs for troubled people.
“One of those programs is our Colour of Hope program, We started that eight years ago, it’s one of my babies. It’s an art program to re-engage disengaged youth from high school who might be at risk of dropping out. We have about fifteen to twenty people doing that a year.”
The Colour of Hope program is run with students and ex-students of MccLelland College, and aims to help expelled students, those no longer in schooling, and those at risk of dropping out.
Ms Hornby also helps with food distribution to those in need. She has been fundraising for a food trailer to help with Life-Gate’s work, and fully funded the project in April.
She thanked her mentors at Life-Gate for their support.
“We’ve had a few awards at Life-Gate, this is just me getting honoured for the fact I’ve had incredible mentors with incredible patience here. I started volunteering here in 2006 with student placement while I was studying.
“I would like to thank Angel and Ulli Roldan, the founders of Life-Gate. I was a disaster on legs when I started and they kept persevering. They saw something in me and kept at it and I feel like this award really is all thanks to my volunteers and mentors.
“I moved to Frankston to work with them and work with Life-Gate.”
The winner of the 2019 Senior Citizen of the Year award was Dr John Dickman. The Young Citizen of the Year was Alicia Goldsworthy.
Mr Dickman, 76 years old, has worked as a medical practitioner helping veterans and locals for the last 45 years.
His work in the medical field, as well as his efforts working with the Menzies Home for Children, the Peninsula Grammar School Board, and his advocacy for construction the Towerhill Squash Court led to him being recognized as senior citizen of the year.
17-year-old Alicia Goldsworthy was School Captain at John Paul College, and runs the Knowledge is Power cyber safety program to educate students and parents. She is also a member of Frankston’s Youth Council.
The citizens of the year were honored at an Australia Day ceremony at the Arts Centre, 26 January.
Frankston mayor Michael O’Reilly said “Lauren, Alicia and John have given so much to the community and I’m proud to recognise their selfless achievements as we honour them as our 2019 Citizens of the Year.”
“It’s great to see the amazing work these worthy recipients have each undertaken to improve the lives of others. Lauren has given so much to help our most vulnerable, John has dedicated himself to the welfare of veterans and the community as a medical professional and Alicia has shown exceptional strength, leadership and resilience,” he said.
Council’s Australia Day event also saw 64 adults and 16 children from 28 different countries made citizens of Australia.
The national Australia Day awards also saw Frankston South resident Ann Connan awarded an Order of Australia for her service to children as leader of the Kids of the Uniting Church in Australia program. Jeffrey Weir of Frankston was also awarded an OAM in the general division for his service to marine conservation through his work with the Dolphin Research Institute. An Australian Fire Services Medal was awarded to Gwynne Brennan of Frankston.
