Community champions across the cities of Wanneroo and Joondalup have been formally recognised and celebrated during this year's local Australia Day festivities. Each municipality announced its citizen of the year, alongside youth, senior, and group award winners, as part of their respective Australia Day citizenship ceremonies held on Monday.
Joondalup Honours Local Heroes
The City of Joondalup's ceremony took place at the Joondalup Resort, where Mayor Daniel Kingston welcomed nearly 300 residents from 48 different countries as they officially became Australian citizens. Amidst these celebrations, several outstanding individuals and groups were acknowledged for their remarkable service.
Janine Gaskell: A Lifetime of Service
Janine Gaskell was named the Joondalup Community Citizen of the Year for her extraordinary dedication spanning almost three decades to the Joondalup Kinross Junior Football Club. Her most significant contribution has been founding and leading the club's Starkick All Abilities Program, which she established ten years ago to create inclusive sporting opportunities.
Mayor Daniel Kingston praised Ms Gaskell as a truly deserving recipient of this prestigious award. "Janine embodies the spirit of community — someone who steps up, supports others and creates opportunities for people doing it tough," Mr Kingston stated. "Her work is a powerful reminder that citizenship is not just a legal status, it is a commitment to contributing to the community we share."
Additional Joondalup Award Winners
The Periscope Crew, a dynamic group of young filmmakers with disabilities, received the Young Community Citizen of the Year award for their creative contributions. Russell Wright, who has been a cornerstone of the Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club since 1960 and a life member since 1973, was honoured as the Senior Community Citizen of the Year. His decades of leadership have shaped generations of young athletes through junior development programs, Nippers coaching, and board training initiatives.
Furthermore, the Joondalup City RSL was named the Active Citizenship Award winner for its ongoing, compassionate support of veterans, their families, and the broader community. The organisation provides vital advocacy, practical welfare assistance, and meaningful opportunities for connection and wellbeing.
Wanneroo Celebrates Its Community Pillars
Meanwhile, the City of Wanneroo held its Australia Day ceremony at Kingsway Christian College, where several local champions were similarly recognised for their impactful work.
Janine Wood: Leading with Compassion
Janine Wood, the CEO, co-founder, and chair of No Limits Perth, was named Wanneroo's Community Citizen of the Year. Her not-for-profit organisation supports vulnerable people in crisis across Perth's northern suburbs. Under her dedicated leadership, the charity has grown to include more than 150 volunteers and has launched the region's first outreach hubs in both Joondalup and Wanneroo. These hubs provide essential wrap-around support for individuals experiencing homelessness, hardship, or those rebuilding their lives after a crisis.
Wanneroo's Distinguished Award Recipients
Sixteen-year-old Brady Fulcher, who was named WA Youth Lifesaver of 2025, received the Youth Community Citizen of the Year award for his significant contributions to surf lifesaving and youth leadership. Maxine Kluge, a much-loved and dedicated volunteer at Bethanie Beachside Aged Care Home, was honoured as the Senior Community Citizen of the Year. Additionally, the Challenge Brass Band took out the Community Group of the Year award for its outstanding work in promoting inclusion, diversity, and community connection through music.
Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken expressed high praise for all the winners. "Their compassion, leadership and commitment help make Wanneroo a place where people feel supported, connected and proud to belong," Ms Aitken said. "Wanneroo is a city committed to the Australian values of giving others a fair go and being there for our mates and no one exemplifies these values more than this year's community citizen of the year award winners."
These ceremonies highlight the profound impact that dedicated individuals and groups have on strengthening community bonds and fostering a spirit of mutual support across Perth's northern suburbs.
