City of Prospect’s Community Service Awards Program recognises individuals, community groups and/or sport clubs for their significant voluntary contribution over the previous 12 months.

National Volunteer Week Awards Night - 17 May 2023

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The presentation of the Community Service Awards is always a feature of Council’s annual National Volunteer Week event in May.

2023 Community Service Award Recipients

Broadview Together has served the community since 2018. A community group that provides care, connection, and activities for anyone who may have a disability, struggle with isolation and who are vulnerable. This group delivers an arts and crafts with coffee morning program each Thursday at Broadview Baptist Church. In the past 12 months, this group has grown and connected with a wide range of people, a greater diversity of people and backgrounds now connect to this group.  Thank you to the volunteers who provide this service to our community.

BOSA Football Club has been nominated for providing women within the City of Prospect with an opportunity to play soccer. Over the past year BOSA have increased their female membership, being the only female soccer club in the Prospect area.  BOSA encourages everyone from the community to come and give soccer a go, no matter their skill or experience. BOSA FC is ran completely by volunteers who continue to commit their time to continue contributing to the community and the culture of BOSA.

Healthy Inspirations Prospect (known locally as the 'Healthies') have been nominated for helping others.  Over the past 12 months the Healthies Team has run numerous drives to obtain household and Christmas items for Catherine House, RSPCA and Backpacks for Kids. Throughout 2022 the Healthies raised $5,000 for the Cancer Council with a walking challenge, celebrated Christmas in July with a morning tea for Catherine House that raised $600, and raised over $2000 to purchase goals, nets and jackets for a local sporting group.

Prospect Blair Athol Lions Club are about to celebrate 60 years of service to the Prospect Community.  Members generously give their time to give back to the community, assisting charities, children in need and other local community organisations with their events and programs. This Club was nominated by Powerhouse Gym for their support in assisting the 'Santa's Coming to Prospect' Event.

Prospect Tennis Club is a prominent sporting club within the Prospect Community.   They have a long history of contributing to a stronger sense of local community through building relationships and rapport with other clubs and schools.  They are proud to have recently established a strong female presence within the club, with their President, Secretary and Head Coach all being women.

Kiwanis Club of Prospect were nominated by the Childhood Cancer Association for their invaluable support since 2014 towards the Michael Rice Units, which provide accommodate for interstate and rural families who have a child diagnosed with cancer and are required to relocate to Adelaide for treatment.  Over the past year, Kiwanis assistance has increased from regular garden pruning and maintenance to assisting with construction of a shed, playground equipment repairs and maintenance. The Childhood Cancer Association acknowledge that without their generous support, providing services such as accommodation would be challenging.

STAR Inc Board of Management is a local not-for-profit charity, that offers a range of core support and capacity building services for adults with disabilities to learn and maintain the skills they need to live independently and participate in the community.  The STAR Inc. Board of Management have been directing the business for over 35 years and are an integral part of the decision making toward the organisation’s future and the wellbeing of their community.

Maria Abraham is a valuable member of St Phillip’s Anglican Church.   Her strong sense of social responsibility and the importance of helping others, is well known to the people around her.  Maria has coordinated numerous donation drives for various organisations, raising valuable funds.  Maria previously served as President and member of the now defunct Rotary Club of Prospect Sunrise and was awarded with a Paul Harris Fellow for her contributions to the local and international community.  Maria is a wonderful example of someone who continuously and selflessly donates her time to help others to make her local community a better place.

Anna Cope, Marianne Nelson and Alicia Neville were nominated by the Prospect Primary School as leaders of the Fundraising Committee.  Contributing their event management and coordination skills to raise much needed funds to aid the school in key projects and improvements, finishing 2022 on the high of all highs with their Centenary + 1 year birthday fete. Anna, Marianne, and Alicia went above and beyond, working nights and weekends for months leading up to the event. The event showcased the rich history of Prospect Primary School, provided opportunity for community members to promote their own small business and celebrated the Art and Music talents of students.

Caitlin Davies has been nominated by the Prospect Tennis Club for her significant contribution. She is involved in every aspect of management at the club and works tirelessly to ensure its growth and progression. Caitlin has also contributed to the development of the club’s long-term vision. The club has taken great strides both in professionalisation and success over the last 12 months and being one of the main drivers of change, she is largely to thank for this.

Stacey Dunbar was nominated by STAR Inc.  We have all heard about this wonderful organisation, as the Board of Management also received an award (above). Stacey was nominated for going above and beyond, she often provides around the clock support to clients that need immediate support. She has supported clients in court appearances, in hospital and other numerous situations.  Stacey served on the board for over 20 years, assisted in fundraising, and helped at numerous events.

Grace Fitzpatrick has been Chairperson for the Prospect Local Environment group for over 10 years.  She has strong and continuous leadership and commitment to the environment and sustainability.  She plays a major role in the campaign to reduce plastic through the plastic free July event held each year, an event that promotes sustainable products and programs. Grace is very committed to the local community of Prospect in dealing with current environmental and sustainability issues and all her work is done on a voluntary basis.

Allen Harris served on Council for approximately 25 years. Allen has served on the Nailsworth Primary School Council for over 2 decades. Allen provides guided history walks around Prospect for groups of school children from Nailsworth Primary School.  During his time as a Councillor, Allen demonstrated enormous commitment to Council’s reconciliation journey and the Kaurna people.  He is well known for helping residents, visiting elderly folk and advocating on their behalf.  He was for many years employed in the building union movement and supportive of fellow workers and their families. His empathy and support for employees affected by Mesothelioma (asbestosis) was paramount in their receiving medical and financial help.  Allen is a proud resident of Prospect where he is well known as a genuinely humble, caring person, a storyteller and an all-round great guy, a true ‘change maker’.

Kevin LePoidevin is the current President of the North Adelaide Croquet Club and is passionate about the sport and advocating the values of an active, healthy lifestyle. He encourages all members to participate, even providing transport to those members who need it, so that they can participate in the sporting and social activities of the club.  He implemented the Come and Try program for visitors from a local Nursing Home and ran a similar program for teenage students from Blackfriars Priory College.  The club has grown and developed under his leadership and guidance.

Shane Morrisey has been a Prospect RSL member for over 10 years, volunteering on average 20 hours per week, even more during football season!  As an active committee member and having held various positions including the current position of Vice President, he has significantly contributed to fundraising activities, and more recently recruited many new members, and spent a great deal of time and effort refurbishing and upgrading the RSL Hall and Bar. Shane is one of the principal organisers of the annual ANZAC Day commemoration and breakfast, and the Remembrance Day commemoration.

Chris North has been involved with the Eagles Lacrosse Club for 8 years and had various roles as a Committee Member. You can guarantee that on game days he will almost always be the last to leave the club, making sure it is cleaned and ready for the next user.  Over this time Chris also developed a passion for photography and has captured high quality images of the players, parents and club at games, training sessions and social events. He voluntarily travels interstate for national championships and is the recognised photographer of Lacrosse SA.  Chris is a fixture at the club who puts so much time and effort curating photographs for the members to enjoy and has brought a real sense of connection and community by capturing these moments at the club.

Albert & Avrill Oates was nominated by the Combined Probus Club.  Since 2002 they have both served the club as President.  Albert continues to arrange interesting and educational visits, including interstate and overseas trips, which have been greatly appreciated by the members.  He has always been supportive to the members and the committee as his knowledge of Probus is invaluable.   Avrill as well as serving as President has also been a guest speaker, coordinator, secretary, assistant secretary and committee member.  Over the years with their help, enthusiasm, and encouragement the club has run very smoothly and the club would like to recognise their achievements through this award.  Thank you Albert and Avrill for your service that contributes to the health and wellbeing of the club members.

Peter & Debbie Owens have raised over a $155,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation, in memory of their son, Michael.  They have achieved this through sausage sizzles, City to Bay “Walks for Michael”, Quiz Nights, and in September 2018, Peter walked from Port Augusta to Adelaide.  Michael Owens was a fourth generation Prospect resident, and his parents are active members within the community. They have honoured their son through these ongoing efforts that are truly making a difference.  We thank you Peter and Debbie for your outstanding commitment and funds you raise for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Barrie Trevarrow is a very active member of the Rotary Club of Prospect and has been instrumental in organising funding for care packages for those experiencing hardship. A total of 120 bags were then distributed to local charities. Barrie was club President in 2020 /21 and is still an active member on the Board that supports the fund-raising activities such as the 'Buddy Bench' project for local Schools, and now the project 'Peace Poles'.  Let’s all thank Barrie for the work he does in assisting others.

Merry Wickes started a 'Grow Free' sharing cart for her community on Milner Street. Most of the herbs and plants on the cart come from her home garden.  Merry has found a way to ensure her community can be connected by the abundance of beautiful produce from our own community members gardens.   Merry has also set up a street library outside her house for her community to enjoy.  The person who nominated Merry says "I wish Merry was my neighbour but I am sure glad to have her in our Prospect Community for bringing us together to share and connect".

Priscilla Vokolos was nominated by the Prospect Tennis Club as she has been involved at the Club since the young age of 4. However, her significant contribution to the club on a volunteer level started around 5 years ago when she was appointed as the Club’s secretary. Since then, she has been appointed by the members as the Club President.  She is dedicated, hard working, a problem solver and has great communication skills.

Our National Volunteer Week Event was also a fantastic opportunity to recognise three award recipients who have been awarded a 2023 Premier’s Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Service.  

Tom Pallotta commenced volunteering with City of Prospect Men's Shed, in October 2012. His employment as a technical studies teacher had prepared him well for volunteering. His attention to safety, detail and the ability to help our clients with their projects makes him invaluable to the program. Tom is a strong advocate and volunteer in the Men's Shed, and without people like Tom our program would not be the success it is. In September 2019 Tom was quoted in the Advertiser "I believe that the Men's Shed is one of the most powerful tools in addressing men's health and wellbeing. The Men's Shed helps men to once again become valued and productive members of our community". Tom is a valued volunteer and an asset to City of Prospect as he has completed over 2,000 hours of voluntary work in the Men's Shed and other roles in our community programs.

Margaret Gleaves commenced in 2016 in the Library as a Home Library Selector.  This service is for customers who are unable to visit the library because of frailty, disability, or illness.  Margaret with her knowledge and skills selects items that match the customers interests, she then assists with the delivery and collection.  Margaret is an essential part of the libraries service; she helps the library maintain a vital connection with the community and all that the library offers.  Margaret's dedication to her volunteering is second to none and her commitment to the community has never wavered.  The staff say that they are lucky to have someone as wonderful as Margaret and they appreciate all her hard work.

Prospect Arts Action Network (PAAN) are members of the Prospect Community, practically involved in community arts initiatives while providing ideas and advice on the ongoing operation of the Newmarch Gallery. Members assist the Gallery Coordinator and actively support Gallery events and activities.  As informed and committed advocates for the positive promotion of the arts in Prospect, PAAN members provide generous community arts feedback while encouraging community access and diversity within Prospect’s ongoing arts programs and initiatives.