Zesty: LaVoz women's drumming group opened the zest awards with a bold performance on Wednesday night. Picture: Gene Ramirez
The zest, enthusiasm, strength and tenacity of community organisations and projects in greater western Sydney was celebrated at the third annual Zest awards held in Granville on Wednesday evening.
The Hills Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Resource Centre won the Exceptional Community Partnership in a Local Government Area category for Each One Assist One, a project in which University of Western Sydney students assist migrants to gain job-seeking skills and refer them to relevant support services.
View a gallery of pictures taken at the award here: http://www.parramattasun.com.au/story/1334820/western-sydney-organisations-honoured-at-zest-awards/?...
Former Hills resident Greg McIntyre received the Hall of Fame Award for more than 30 years of work in the disability sector.
The founder of Ability Options worked with organisations including TAFE, government bodies and Granville Rotary to develop support for people with intellectual and other disabilities.
Margaret McIntyre collected the award for her husband, who died in October last year.
‘‘He would have been delighted and slightly embarrassed by your recognition of his work,’’ she said.
‘‘Because of his innate ability he always felt he owed God a return on his investment, and assisting those less able than himself was his calling.’’
Mary Waterford of host organisation Western Sydney Community Forum said the awards awards celebrate the ‘‘great display of commitment, of innovation, of people’s generosity of spirit to make a difference in their community’’.
Performances by LaVoz Women’s Drumming Group, youth dance group Hardstyle Intoxicated and band Eastern Empire livened up the evening.
Award organisers said nominations had doubled since the first awards in 2011, with 106 nominations this year across 11 categories.
The Winners:
● Cen Amores - Outstanding Community Leader - Volunteer Capacity
● Beverly Donovan and Daryl Hamilton - Outstanding Community Leader - Paid Capacity
● Caterina Mazza - Outstanding Youth Leader
● Magic Symbols - Out of the Box Award
● Macarthur Real Estate Engagement Project - Exceptional Community Partnership across a Region
● Each One Assist One - Exceptional Community Partnership in an LGA
● Ngroo Education - Exceptional Project in a Not for Profit Organisation
● Samoa Victim Support Group - Outstanding Project in a CALD Group/Organisation
● Joint Koori Interagency - Outstanding Project in a Aboriginal Group/Organisation
● AB Community Change Makers - Outstanding Voluntary Group/Organisation
● Greg McIntyre - Hall of Fame Award
Highly Commended:
● Edison Yongai - Outstanding Community Leader - Volunteer Capacity
● Dallas Dodd - Outstanding Community Leader - Paid Capacity
● Wendy La - Outstanding Youth Leader
● Mondo Community Safety and Engagement Project - Out of the Box Award
● iDrinksmart - Exceptional Project in a Not for Profit Organisation
● Training in Interaction, Communication and Literacy Program - Exceptional Project in a Not for Profit Organisation
● Cyber_Shed - Outstanding Voluntary Group/Organisation