Shellharbour City Council to name this year’s Good Neighbour of the Year Award winner

Shellharbour City Council’s 18th annual Good Neighbour Awards will be held this Friday 3 May, with the event celebrating neighbours and the relationships that make for a strong community.

The awards are held in conjunction with Neighbour Day, Australia’s annual celebration of community. This year’s theme is: “Loneliness: What neighbours can do to create connections”.

Neighbour Day encourages people to connect with those who live in their neighbourhood.

Shellharbour City Mayor Marianne Saliba said the awards aimed to build relationships between residents within neighbourhoods.

“Council believes in recognising and thanking the good neighbours in Shellharbour for their time, effort and willingness to assist others,” Cr Saliba said.

“I’m proud to say that Shellharbour City Council is recognised as a “Very Neighbourly Organisation” by Relationships Australia.

“Good neighbours help improve community safety and the quality of life in our community. The support and assistance good neighbours can provide is endless.

“This can be anything from looking after gardens, children and pets, to preparing meals at difficult times, and simply checking in on one another to make sure they’re okay.”

The awards will be held this Friday 3 May, Civic Centre Auditorium from 5pm to 7pm.

This year’s sponsors include Kmart Shellharbour, Stockland Shellharbour, Jamberoo Action Park and The Shellharbour Club.

The 2019 Good Neighbour of the Year is Maryann Whiffen, who was nominated by several neighbours.

One person wrote:

“For over 15 years, we have known Maryann. Although she has struggled with her health in the past, she always remains strong and caring… She keeps the community connected and she always keeps the community up to date with various charities, goings on and help for those in need. She’s an awesome neighbour to have.”

Another wrote:

“Maryann is always helping our community from doing hard work, volunteering, organising community events, running a Facebook community page, helping out with any tragedy or issue that occurs in the community… she is one in a million… Maryann is involved and volunteering with everything that happens in our Albion park community. She always has our community’s best interests at heart. And she works fulltime too!

Another wrote:

“She is a very active member of the community, participating in almost everything including fundraisers and other events (like the Albion Park lolly run at Christmas). She also spoils my children left right and centre with gifts and food. She helped me a lot after my caesarean section while my partner was at work. She is such a lovely lady, while working fulltime herself. I think she truly deserves the world she is so selfless… gives more and takes nothing.”

Media enquiries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008.