Stratford's finest citizens recognised at award ceremony

Stratford's finest - 2020 Citizens Award recipients pictured with mayor Neil Volzke. Photo / Ann Coles Photography

Four people were added to an "illustrious list of winners" last week.

At the 2020 Stratford District Citizens Award ceremony, mayor Neil Volzke congratulated this year's recipients, saying they were joining a small but significant list of people.

"The awards were first presented in 1991. Now it is the 30th year of the awards, and it's a really illustrious list of winners you are joining."

This year Marianne Drummond and Barb Reid received a Stratford District Citizens Award, becoming the 109th and 110th citizens to receive one.

They were joined on the night by Leah Turner-Giblin, who was this year's Stratford District Youth Citizens Award recipient, and the 15th recipient of the award overall.

Dave West was also honoured on the night, as the 2020 recipient of the Stratford District Outstanding Citizen Award.

This award was introduced in 2018 to recognise outstanding achievement through longevity of service, a past award recipient who has continued to service the community, or someone who has contributed an outstanding service to our community. In 2018 the award went to Pat and John Herlihy and in 2019 to Margaret Vickers.

Last Tuesday's ceremony, which was attended by family and friends of the recipients, took place in the Stratford District Council chambers.

Stratford District mayor Neil Volzke said all four recipients had given up much of their own time and skills to help their community.

"All the recipients have made a notable sacrifice of own time in helping others and their community and we thank them for this."