By Matthew Sims
Hobsons Bay council has acknowledged Naserah ‘Nasz’ Khan and Mia Boonen as its Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year award recipients for 2023.
Announced at a ceremony on Thursday, January 26, councillors and community members congratulated the pair.
Ms Khan moved to Hobsons Bay in 2005 and has since become an integral part of the Seabrook community, including her work in establishing the Seabrook Community Gardens to working with council to develop the Homestead Run Park.
Other key initiatives she pioneered included the new mural at the Seabrook shopping centre delivered via council’s Pitch Your Project program, organising the Dawn Service in Seabrook over the past two years and delivering meals to people in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Khan has also been an autism teacher at the Western Autistic School in Laverton for a number of years.
She said it was an “incredible honour” to receive the award.
“I’ve seen Seabrook change tremendously since I first moved here,” Ms Khan said.
“It is just hear-warming to see how Seabrook is now so connected and how everyone comes together.
“I am truly blessed to live in a community like this.”
At 22 years of age, Ms Boonen has been developing a strong community of youth engagement, access and inclusion through her work as the chief executive of Altona theatre group Dramawerkz, as a disabled woman and as an activist.
She also co-hosted the YDAS COVID-19 podcast and has worked in the youth sector across a number of Melbourne-based organisations.
While receiving her award, Ms Boonen recognised the sacrifices of a number of First Nations and other discriminated peoples.
“I’m thankful to receive this wonderful honour, and I do so while acknowledging this is a difficult day for First Nations people right across Australia,” she said.
“I hope it helps shine a light on the areas of our community that need it.
“If we ensure the considerations and adjustments that were made during the pandemic are continued into recovery and beyond, we can re-emerge from it a more inclusive society.”
Hobsons Bay mayor Tony Briffa said the two award recipients exemplified the region’s passion for supporting their communities.
“We are so fortunate to have them in Hobsons Bay with their commitment to making the lives of everyone around them better,” she said.
“I congratulate Nasz and Mia on their deserved awards and thank them for the amazing work they have done for our community.”
