Australia Day Big Breakfast

Margie Oldfield

Since 2018, Margie has supported hundreds of culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal and at-risk teenage girls through Team Connect WA. By removing barriers to participation in community sport, she provides tailored support including transport, meals, uniforms and coaching programs. Her work reduces social isolation and improves confidence, school attendance and social connection for local teens.

Joanne Della Bona

A Noongar woman from Whadjuk and Balardong Country, Joanne has worked in Aboriginal services for over 30 years. As Director of Coolabaroo Community Services and Housing, she advocates for early childhood education and delivers trauma-informed, culturally grounded programs. Through leadership roles and board memberships, she ensures Aboriginal children and families are supported to thrive while remaining connected to culture, kinship and Country.

Amal Youssef

As president and co-founder of the Australian Arab Association, Amal has spent over 20 years promoting social cohesion and cultural understanding across Western Australia. She has led initiatives addressing health, youth education, safety and inequality, while acting as a vital link between communities, service providers and government. Her work has strengthened families and built safer, more inclusive communities.

Bryan Ainsworth

Bryan is a dedicated volunteer coach across three local clubs and assistant coach at State-level tee-ball. Rain or shine, and often after night shifts, he supports players with a tailored and inclusive coaching approach. He also encourages and mentors parents to build skills in coaching and team management, strengthening grassroots sport.

Kylie and Joel Burns

Kylie and Joel selflessly support families in need by preparing and distributing food hampers, connecting people to services and providing practical and emotional support. Often sacrificing their own family time, they help ease cost-of-living pressures while creating a safe, judgement-free space for families to feel supported and valued.

Alexander Torres

Alex uses Jiu-Jitsu to bring people together and improve community wellbeing. He offers free classes for adults, children and ex-service personnel, focusing on fitness, confidence, discipline and teamwork. An army veteran, Alex creates an inclusive environment that supports both physical and mental health.

Kit San Wai

Through involvement with the Gosnells Chinese Association, Kit has spent more than four years fostering connection, cultural pride and social inclusion through weekly community activities. She supports seniors, families and new migrants through language, wellness and cultural programs, and provides bilingual outreach to help community members better navigate Australian services and daily life.

Roya Ansari

Roya is a passionate advocate for inclusion, youth development and women’s empowerment. Through extensive volunteering, board roles and community networks, she supports women and migrants to access sports, leadership and development opportunities. Her hands-on approach has helped create lasting positive change and greater community inclusion.

Michelle Manolas

Michelle continues to lead Thornlie Senior High School’s P&C Association despite no longer having children at the school. She volunteers across numerous programs including breakfast club, fundraising, sustainability, student activities and grant support. Her tireless commitment enhances opportunities and wellbeing for students, staff and families.

Caleb Evans

Caleb’s dedication to junior coaching has strengthened the culture at Kenwick Cricket Club. He builds players’ skills while instilling teamwork, respect and resilience. Caleb also created the Royal Bash, a successful whole-club event that brings together players, families and supporters, fostering strong community pride and connection.

Madison Backus

For the past three years, Madison has raised funds and awareness for breast cancer through Rockin’ the Pink. She handmakes and sells items at markets and online, raising $526 this year alone. Madison also supports Vinnies, runs school mindfulness sessions, and is recognised as a young carer through Carers WA.

Ryan Toor

Ryan created Our Learning Community, a free online platform offering inclusive educational resources for students, carers and people with special learning needs. He also promotes inclusion through sport as a table tennis captain and mentor, volunteers at Vinnies, fundraises for MS Readathon, and contributes widely through his role as school captain.

Hania Usman

Hania has volunteered for nearly 10 years with Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group, supporting environmental restoration. She also volunteered at waste and recycling stations at the Perth Royal Show, promoted health and mental wellbeing through the Push-Up Challenge, and regularly serves as a marshal at Homestead Parkrun.

 Ronnie Baldwin

Ronnie has been a valued member of Forget-Me-Not Dementia Support since 2017, using her artistic talents to create engaging displays and activities. Her cost-effective, creative approach has helped raise dementia awareness and provide vital social support within this volunteer-run, not-for-profit charity.

 Regina Drummond

A long-term Kenwick resident, Regina has volunteered for over 40 years to protect the local environment. As convenor of Friends of the Brixton Street Wetlands since the late 1980s, she has led conservation, restoration and education activities, safeguarding one of Western Australia’s most biodiverse wetlands and inspiring strong community stewardship.

 Rajeshwary (Raji) Krishnan

Dr Raji has devoted more than 45 years to improving health outcomes for First Nations communities in Western Australia. Her culturally safe, trauma-informed and holistic approach to healthcare has supported generations of families and continues to expand through integrated wrap-around health services.

 Stephanie Chan

As secretary of the Gosnells Chinese Association, Stephanie coordinates weekly activities that support social connection, wellbeing and cultural engagement, particularly for seniors. Her efforts foster inclusion, belonging and cross-cultural understanding within the broader community.

 Catherine Bynder

Catherine is a respected Aboriginal elder who actively preserves and shares Aboriginal culture, history and knowledge. Through cultural education, Welcome to Country ceremonies and mentoring, she promotes reconciliation, strengthens cultural pride and builds meaningful connections across the community.

 Janice Baker

Janice is a committed volunteer with Friends of Mary Carroll Wetland, contributing to planting, weed control, wildlife monitoring and community events. She also supports local residents, participates in wider Landcare activities and promotes biodiversity through her own wildlife-friendly garden.

 Gosnells Writers Circle

For 43 years, this not-for-profit community group has welcomed residents in and around the City of Gosnells to enhance their writing skills and participate in free community events. The Gosnells Writers Circle supports and encourages the craft of writing through in-house workshops, exhibitions and displays, competitions, a regular community radio show and publications. The circle has also participated in several community events such as the Activ-Age Expo and reading sessions for seniors at Addie Mills Centre and Amaroo Retirement Village.   

 Let’s be Frank Homeless Services Perth

Let’s Be Frank Homeless Services Perth helps people experiencing hardship by providing supplies to keep them warmer, safer, and more comfortable while sleeping rough. At Christmas, they run a Christmas Handout, collecting gifts for children in underprivileged families. They also fundraise for charities like Black Dog Institute, Mission Australia, and Mullets for Mental Health. Beyond physical support, they use social media to create a safe space for discussing mental health, suicide prevention, parental alienation, and homelessness.

 Armadale Police Ranger

Armadale Police Rangers work with many organisations including Rotary, Lions Club and Safe Communities Now to engage young people and help them to feel part of a community. Armadale Police Rangers recently helped Safe Communities Now at an event to cook the barbecue, and with the set up and cleaning up of the event. This program helps the younger generation to feel valued and learn the importance of providing service to the community.

 Ubuntu Australia

Ubuntu Australia is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit charity supporting marginalised communities, new migrants, and culturally diverse groups to engage socially, intellectually, and economically. Since its founding in 2019, it has offered free English classes, job skills workshops, digital literacy programs for seniors, a multilingual book swap, mentoring for newcomer professionals, youth badminton training, emergency hampers, homeless support, free period products, and back-to-school assistance.

 Darling Range Wildlife Shelter

Run entirely by volunteers, the Darling Range Wildlife Shelter rescues, rehabilitates, and releases around 2,000 native animals each year, helping species affected by urbanisation, vehicle strikes, and habitat loss. Its 150+ volunteers engage the community through school visits, training programs, and open days, promoting environmental stewardship. Shelter members also contribute to state wildlife welfare standards through the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ Wildlife Rehabilitators Consultation Group, ensuring grassroots insights shape policy across Western Australia.

 City of Gosnells Walking Groups

The City of Gosnells proudly supports four Senior Walking Groups located in Canning Vale, Beckenham, Maddington and Gosnells. With a combined membership of approximately 120 seniors, these groups bring people together to walk, stay active and build lasting social connections. While supported by the City, the groups are led by volunteers, encouraging them to maintain fitness and social confidence. The walking groups serve as vital platforms for health wellbeing and community engagement. Following each walk, members gather for refreshments and conversation, nurturing a strong sense of belonging and social inclusion. The program is an example of how consistent, simple initiatives can bring about meaningful and lasting positive changes in the lives of citizens and the community.

 Gosnells Women’s Collective

Inspired by the Men’s Shed movement, this group works to empower and support women in skill building, social connection and sustainability initiatives. This is achieved through workshops, social events and collective projects, creating safe spaces for learning and collaboration. The collective reduces isolation, encourages volunteering and builds resilience in the community, all while empowering women. The Gosnells Women’s Collective also creates pathways to employment by offering practical skill-building workshops and recently hosted a Makers Market, where women can showcase and sell handmade goods. These initiatives develop entrepreneurial skills, boost confidence and provide income opportunities, while fostering community engagement and delivering meaningful, long-term economic benefits.