The importance of building communities where people can experience a sense of belonging is a common thread among the deserving winners of the City of Cockburn’s annual Community Citizen of the Year Awards for 2025.
The overall title of Community Citizen of the Year was awarded to tireless community stalwart
Maureen Fisher-Sim who has dedicated decades of her life to volunteering in Cockburn.
Instrumental in running the PRIDE & Progress Ball at Cockburn Youth Centre for LGBTQIA+ youth, as well as playing a key role at the Rotary Spring Fair, energetic youth advocate and Cockburn Youth Advisory Collective member
Atlas Pillinger is the Youth (16-30 years) Community Citizen of the Year.
Long-term Spearwood resident
Lucia Scata, a volunteer cook and friendly face for residents, guests and clients at the Silver Chain Social Centre in Fremantle for over 32 years, is the Senior (over 65 years) Community Citizen of the Year for 2025.
Treeby Community Association, which is committed to preventing loneliness by providing a diverse range of free community events, has received the Active Citizenship – Group or Event award.
Recipients were announced at the City’s annual Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony on 26 January where about 100 new Australian citizens also pledged their commitment to our country on the 76th anniversary of Australian Citizenship.
Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said the community was in good hands, judging by the caring and empathetic people and organisations working to make life better for others.
“I am always amazed, thankful and so proud of our community at these annual awards,” Mayor Howlett said.
“The efforts of the people and groups nominated for the 2025 awards, all demonstrate the importance of looking out for each other, especially at this time in history where many are doing it far tougher than ever before,” Mayor Howlett said.
“Congratulations to our winners and nominees. Our community is a rich one because of your unselfish efforts.”
Awardees for 2025 are:
Community Citizen of the Year – Overall:
Maureen Fisher-Sim
Community Citizen of the Year – Youth (16-30 years):
Atlas Pillinger
Community Citizen of the Year – Senior (over 65 years of age):
Lucia Scata
Active Citizenship – Group or Event:
Treeby Community Association
Maureen Fisher-Sim has a talent for connecting people and fostering a sense of unity and belonging while encouraging others to join in.
Maintaining the community spirit showed by her great grandmother Maud Mary Winfield in the early 1900s in Hamilton Hill, she has lived and worked tirelessly in Cockburn for decades. Mrs Winfield jointly laid the foundation stone at Hamilton Hill Memorial Hall with then Governor, His Excellency the Governor Sir William Campion K.C.M.G. on 21 March 1925, after leading a community effort to build the iconic landmark.
Over the past eight years she has enabled Friends of the Community to provide substantial financial assistance for a variety of causes including migrants learning to swim, student scholarships, children’s medicines, meals for people experiencing homelessness, people with disability, junior sporting clubs, local schools and community groups.
Maureen is the founder of Hami Helps Inc which has held events including Hami Eats at Memorial Hall in Hamilton Hill, providing nutritious free meals for locals.
Amounting to hundreds of hours in a variety of roles, Maureen champions Hamilton Hill Community Group, Hamilton Hill & Surrounds Pets Facebook Page, Cockburn 4WD Club, and the former Cooby Cares food charity.
She was named the City of Cockburn’s Active Citizen of the Year in 2016 and was an active volunteer when the following organisations received awards:
- 2023 - Friends of the Community – Volunteering WA Organisation of the Year (Volunteering WA)
- 2021 - Friends of the Community – Cockburn Volunteer Organisation of the Year, 2nd place (City of Cockburn)
- 2020 - Cooby Cares – Cockburn Volunteer Organisation of the Year (City of Cockburn).
Atlas Pillinger has made significant contributions through various roles and initiatives that showcase their dedication, leadership, and innovative approach to community service.
As a member of the Cockburn Youth Advisory Collective, Atlas has consistently ensured the voices of young people are heard and that local projects and events are responsive to the community's needs.
Helping to stage the PRIDE & Progress Ball, and Rotary Spring Festival for 2024, their advocacy for fellow young people in Cockburn and the general community is an example of community spirit and leadership from which the community benefits greatly.
Spearwood’s
Lucia Scata began filling in during her spare time at the Silver Chain Social Centre in Fremantle over 32 years ago, after arriving in Australia from Italy about 60 years ago.
Her volunteering soon became a weekly commitment, cooking an amazing array of traditional Italian food for the centre’s residents, guests and clients.
Now aged into her 80s Lucia still volunteers regularly at the centre, cooking large group meals, providing social interaction and friendly company for many guests.
Treeby Community Association has made an outstanding contribution to the local community through its dedication to creating a vibrant, connected, and supportive environment.
It organises numerous initiatives and events including sausage sizzles to fund and maintain the community garden, and free twice-weekly wellness sessions which include a playgroup, gym, yoga, meditation, board game nights, and craft sessions.
Other initiatives have included an annual Halloween event, Australia Day and Christmas breakfasts, and the International Day of Yoga celebration, promoting improved health and wellbeing and reducing isolation and loneliness by fostering strong social connections in the community.
It has taken a leadership role in advocating for community improvements, campaigning for better Telstra reception, a bus stop, and road safety. It also supports neighbouring communities, making popcorn at the South Lake Fair and sponsoring Yangebup Community Eats.
Association members demonstrate a creative approach to combating social isolation through initiatives like meet-and-greet barbecues, free movie nights, Harmony Day celebrations, establishing two book exchange libraries and offering free equipment hire, encouraging the growing community to make meaningful connections.
Caption: l-r: Lucia Scata, Lani Slaughter and Helen Miskell (Treeby Community Association), Mayor Logan Howlett, Atlas Pillinger and Maureen Fisher-Sim.