Wodonga’s 2022 Citizen of the Year, David Martin OAM, hopes young people and members of the multicultural community will be nominated for Wodonga Council’s 2023 citizenship awards.
are now open for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Organisation of the Year, and Mr Martin says now is a good time to recognise the city’s achievers, following the challenges caused by COVID-19 restrictions.
The Murray Valley Centre CEO said Wodonga’s Australia Day Awards were a great way to recognise people making a difference to the community.
“People are out and about again and there’s people in our community doing some amazing things,” he said.
David said the Citizen of the Year title was a great opportunity for people in the community to raise their profile.
“It would be good to see younger people nominated … there are young people in school who are out there doing some fantastic things and it would be great if they were recognised,” he said.
“We should also look to our multicultural communities in Wodonga as we have a good number of them now and these people are a great part of our community.”
The awards are held each year on Australia Day (January 26) and present the opportunity to recognise the work of people who make our city a great place to live, work and play.
David was presented with his Citizen of the Year award for contributing many years of service to the Wodonga community during his 36 years in the disability sector.
He resigned from the Army in 1985 after 21 years’ service, including a posting in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969.
David was then appointed as Administrator of the Murray Valley Centre (MVC) on June 20, 1985.
MVC is a day training centre for people with disabilities and provides clients with opportunities to develop skills assisting them to live independently in the community.
David was appointed chief executive officer of MVC in 1998, a position he still holds.
David joined the RSL in 1969 on his return from Vietnam and has served continuously for 50 years.
Citizen of the Year Awards are held at Australia Day celebrations around the nation each year.
Wodonga Council hosts an event every year and the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and a community organisation are recognised.
Nominations are open until Friday, November 18.
The Australia Day organising committee, led by a councillor, chooses the award winners.
Complete an online nomination form
