City of Darwin is thrilled to announce the winners of the Citizen of the Year Awards, which recognise the efforts of those who go above and beyond for the Darwin community.

City of Darwin administers the Citizen of the Year Awards on behalf of the Australia Day Council - Northern Territory.

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said he was delighted with the quality and quantity of nominations received this year. 

“The Citizen of the Year Awards celebrate the achievements of people within our community and highlight their efforts to go above and beyond in their community,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“To be awarded a Citizen of the Year award is an esteemed accolade and I would like to personally congratulate our winners and runner ups,” he said.

The Citizen of the Year Award has been presented to John Gregory Tate, for his enormous dedication to the Nightcliff Cricket Club and its extended community.

Across the years, John has held multiple committee positions and has been the driving force behind securing a number of the club’s sponsorship and fund-raising sources. 

John has been heavily involved in the Club’s annual fundraiser, the clean-up of the Amphitheatre after Darwin Symphony Orchestra concerts, which includes the collection of recyclable cans and bottles to generate great financial benefits for the club.

John has been recognised for his tireless efforts in reinforcing the club and its players, including coaching the women’s team, umpiring for the NT Cricket Association, and curating the pitch to make it one of the best cricket grounds in the Territory. 

The Young Citizen of the Year Award goes to Jules Gabor, who has been recognised for being a leader in the community who advocates for youth, mental health and equal opportunity.

At only 18 years old, Jules is already the NT Young Ambassador for UNICEF Australia, a member of the Northern Territory Youth Voice Peak Group, Vice-Chair of the Northern Territory Youth Round Table, a member of the City of Darwin Youth Advisory Committee, and holds an event management role with NoOne Left Behind.

Jules plays an active role in her community and ensures that youth from her local communities are heard. 

She has a key focus on mental health and uses her platform as a youth advocate to help others have their voice and opinions amplified, as well as advocating for young multicultural, queer people. 

Jules is passionate about giving opportunities to others and has started her own podcast called 'Heart to Heart: Stories Unleashed' to benefit individuals, community activities and the community in general. 

The Community Activity of the Year has been awarded to the Vietnamese Lantern Festival, which received a record number of nominations and was recognised for providing an opportunity for locals and tourists to explore and experience Vietnamese culture.

The event featured rich and diverse activities that celebrated Vietnamese cuisine, origin and culture, and it made a significant contribution to the community as a unifying platform for the Vietnamese population in Darwin. 

The Vietnamese Lantern Festival created a space for people to come together and was a playground for fostering connections and celebrating the most significant festival in Vietnamese culture. 

The Festival's impact was recognised for extending past the Vietnamese community by acting as a bridge for cultural exchange and providing an opportunity for individuals from various backgrounds to learn about, and appreciate, the richness of Vietnamese heritage. 

It also served as an educational tool, offering children insights into their parents' history and cultural roots by creating a connection to their heritage.

All the Citizen of the Year Award winners were presented at a special event today, Monday 22 January 2024, and have been invited to attend the formal Australia Day ceremony presentation on Friday 26 January 2024.