Australia Day Ambassadors Katie, Maggie and Michael Quach with Mayor Josh Black presented the Wellington Citizen of the Year award to Mark Griggs on Sunday evening during the Wellington Australia Day awards ceremony in Cameron Park.
Councillor Richard Ivey presents the Senior Citizen of the Year award with Australia Day Ambassador Katie Quach to Teresa Johnson.
Australia Day Ambassador Katie Quach presents the Community Event of the Year to Jennifer Wykes of Rotary and Dixie Robinson of Maranatha Gunyah representing the Maranatha Gunyah Fete, with State MLC Stephen Lawrence.
Federal member for Calare Andrew Gee and state member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders present a Community Achievement award to Father MacKander.
Emmalee Holmes is present her Community Achievement award from Councillor Jen Cowley.
Jim Pratt receives his Community Achievement award from Councillor Matt Wright.
Former Wellington Councillor Roger Everett with 2023 Senior Citizen Shirley Drysdale presents Ruth Haynes her Community Achievement award.
“OUR NATIONAL day is the time for us to come together to reflect, respect and celebrate being part of our nation’s story” – was the beginning of Michael Quach’s address speaking on behalf of the Quach family siblings as Wellington’s Australia Day Ambassadors.
The trio of Michael, Katie and Maggie Quach are the founders of Beyond Best Before, a social-impact enterprise tackling food waste and promoting sustainable living which earned them in 2025 international recognition with a place on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list for Social Impact, highlighting their leadership in sustainability and nnovation.
Founded in 2021, Beyond Best Before intercepts surplus stock and near-date grocery items destined for landfill, reselling them at affordable prices through a national e-commerce platform, a flagship store in Sydney, and an emerging wholesale marketplace. Their model reduces waste, saves consumers money, and educates Australians about food sustainability.
Michael Quach told a story of valuing stories that have and continue to shape Australia today.
“From the first nations whose ancestors lived on these lands for tens of thousands of years, to the descendants of settlers, children of migrants and those recently arrived, today we come together to celebrate and share stories about what makes us unique and consider the Australia we aspire to be,” he said.
Michael told of his mother arriving in Australia in 1980 as a Vietnamese refugee from a rural town south of today’s Ho Chi Minh city.
He and his siblings lived in a small street in West Melbourne and tells of their relationship to a Greek family, and shared their stories.
His sister Katie said later that when growing up, “our street was like a family, Greek, Albanian, German,
Vietnamese. We shared food, traditions and kindness without thinking twice. That’s the Australian spirit,” she said.
“What connects us in Australia is our shared desire for unity, safety and prosperity that Australia represents.
“While our experiences may be different, we are shaped by the same quote – that in this country where everyone belongs, everyone’s views, beliefs and contributions are valued.
“Today, I encourage everyone to share a piece of your story, and listen to the stories of others, whether it’s over a slice of cake, a coffee or a VB, because one thing remains true, and that is, we are all an important part in this nation’s ongoing story.”
Mark has been a part of the Wellington community for 37 years and has been involved in many committees, including a founding member and chairman of Wellington Business Enterprise Centre and a founding member of Wellington Police and Citizens Youth Club (PCYC).
In 1994, on behalf of PCYC, Mark organised the Wellington Christmas Boot Bed Race in conjunction with the annual Apex Club’s Venetian Carnival.
He was a president of the Wellington Business Association after reforming from the Wellington Business Chamber.
Mark is one of the founding members and present Chairperson of Binjang Community Radio Inc. and has been very hands-on in bringing the Breakfast Radio morning shift to listeners and presenting outside broadcasts supporting Wellington Rotary Club’s monthly markets, the Vintage Fair, Wellington Show and Lions Geurie Markets to name a few.
He is also an active member and co-vice-president of Wellington Race Club and Board member of Wellington Soldiers Memorial Club.
He also contributed to the community by being an elected councillor for 21 years, serving as deputy mayor and one full term as Mayor.
SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR –
Teresa Johnson
Teresa has been actively involved in many aspects of the Wellington community.
She played a vital role in junior sport throughout her children’s sporting years, taking on executive and management roles and supporting other young athletes and their families.
She has supported Senior Citizens for the past nine years and organised and led the weekly Senior Citizens exercise class, ensuring continuity, connection and wellbeing for older community members.
Her involvement in the Wellington Show spans many years as well as her involvement in the Wellington Amateur Theatrical Society (WATS) which spans over 20 years.
She has worked tirelessly for all productions, from front of house to props to stage management.
Everything Teresa Johnson does is without fanfare. She embodies the essence of a quiet achiever, someone who contributes tirelessly, without seeking recognition and whose efforts have strengthened the social, cultural and recreational fabric of Wellington.
YOUNG SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR –
Evie Whiteley
Evie gives her best for all sports that she plays. She has been nominated for captain of many of her teams.
She plays hard but fair and is a great teammate to have. Her highlight for the year was being able to represent NSW in touch football against all other states and territories in Ballarat, Victoria, last October.
She has achieved various levels and accolades in her chosen sports of Netball and Touch football, including best and fairest and coaches awards.
COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR –
Maranatha Gunyah Fete
Wellington Rotary Club, Maranatha House Aged Care Facility and Marantha Gunyah Childcare combined to put on a market day and fete on October 25, 2025. This day highlighted the connection Maranatha and Rotary have with the Wellington Community and it was a great day seeing aged care residents being able to participate in the markets and the children providing sample bags attracting several hundreds of people on the day. This event was a combined effort of different organisations and gave real community benefit to all.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
Ruth Haynes
Ruth arrived in Wellington 16 years ago and started contributing to the community with her volunteering.
She is involved in Wellington Arts and Crafts club, however her major contribution has been with Maranatha House.
Here she makes a difference to the lives of the residents giving support with individual shopping for residents, craft activities, assists taking residents to the Wellington Show, gardening and assisting with organising social and fundraising events.
James Pratt
Jim has provided support to the community over many years. More recently, he has formed a men’s coffee club for retired businessmen so that they can meet once a week and keep connected.
Emmalee Holmes
Emmalee has shown exceptional dedication to the Wellington and Dubbo communities.
She supports vital community organisations such as Riding for the Disabled, Pink Angels Inc, and Camp Quality.
Emmalee also contributed to the Wellington Community Progress and Action Group, several Council initiatives including public spaces, and she has played an important role in environmental and emergency efforts through the annual Clean Up Australia Day event, NSW State Emergency Services, Mt Arthur Trust activities and Wellington platypus surveys with Western Paddlers. Most recently, she has been the founder and Event Director for the newly started Wellington parkrun event.
She spent 10 years working toward getting this event up and running for Wellington and surrounds.
Fr Carl MacKander
Father Carl has spent the past 10 years devoted to the Wellington and surrounding communities as parish priest of St Peters Catholic Church .
He has been available to be called upon, above and beyond his role, has spent many hours of his own time
visiting people at home, in the hospital and at Maranatha house. Over this time, he has gained much love and respect by the community.