Australia Day 2012
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2012 Citizens of the Year:
Gwen Dearsley and Kimberly Pellosis
There might be an age difference of more than 60 years but Frankston City's Citizen of the Year for 2012 Gwen Dearsley and Young Citizen of the Year Kimberly Pellosis have a lot in common.
Both women, aged 82 and 18 respectively, are passionate and fight hard for causes they believe in, volunteer tirelessly for their community and serve to make it a better place.
Frankston City's Citizen of the Year
Gwen Dearsley, Frankston
Gwen has volunteered with Frankston City Council's Aged Care, and has also worked with the Senior Week Committee for over 25 years. She has worked as a volunteer for many outings and events during this time and has assisted in organising numerous events within the Frankston community.
Some formal contributions Gwen has made to the Frankston community include Secretary of the Combined Pensioners' Club Secretary from 1978 to 2003, when it then became known as the Over 55s Club.
Gwen also co-founded a Senior Citizens' Group, where she served as both the Secretary and Treasurer.
Gwen has also been a previous recipient of a community service medal awarded by Prime Minister, John Howard, in 2001. Gwen was also recently recognised as a Local Legend in the StarZone Karingal Walk of Fame for her invaluable community service.
She has lived in Frankston since 1968.
Frankston City's Young Citizen of the Year
Kimberly Pellosis, 18 years, Frankston South
Kimberly has been described as a very caring and generous young woman, who is highly committed to giving back to her community.
Teachers at Frankston High School speak of an "outstanding student of impeccable character"; Kimberly has been involved in a variety of youth activities and programs, including a key role in the School's Student Leadership Council. She's a member of the School's Vision Generation Group, a member of the Executive Council for the Victorian Student Representative Council and a member of the International Committee.
She was also a finalist in last year's VCE Achiever awards.
Kimberly plans on studying Science at Melbourne University this year and hopes it leads to a career in research particularly in Environmental Science.
Kimberly was born in the Philippines and also lived in the United States of America for a number of years. She has lived in Frankston for about five years.
2011 Frankston City's Citizen of the Year
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