{"id":9987,"date":"2021-01-21T04:39:34","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T04:39:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=9987"},"modified":"2021-01-21T04:39:34","modified_gmt":"2021-01-21T04:39:34","slug":"upstanding-novocastrians-honoured-at-award-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2021\/01\/21\/upstanding-novocastrians-honoured-at-award-ceremony\/","title":{"rendered":"Upstanding Novocastrians honoured at award ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australia\u2019s first recognised Indigenous surgeon and a passionate advocate for health equality, Associate Professor Kelvin Kong, has been honoured as City of Newcastle\u2019s Citizen of the Year 2021.
\nWhen he\u2019s not tending to patients at his Broadmeadow practice or performing operations, Dr Kong devotes his time to researching Alloiococcus otitidis \u2013 an organism prevalent in ear disease \u2013 with the Hunter Medical Research Institute and lecturing students at the University of Newcastle.
\n\"Citizen-of-the-Year-2021-Dr-Kelvin-Kong-Medium-2.JPG\"As one of only three Indigenous surgeons in the country, Dr Kong is passionate about addressing the disparity in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. Each year, he spends time working in remote Australian communities, providing access to quality healthcare that would otherwise be limited or unavailable.
\n\u201cIndigenous people have been practicing medicine in this country for 60,000 years, a history I am proud to be part of and carry on for future generations,\u201d Dr Kong said.
\n\u201cI am both humbled and galvanised by this prestigious award, to continue striving towards improved ear health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.\u201d
\nLord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Dr Kong\u2019s demonstrated leadership in Aboriginal health service delivery, advocacy and research had earned him the Citizen of the Year gong at an intimate award ceremony in Newcastle today.
\n\u201cDr Kong exemplifies the values of the Citizen of the Year title, representing Newcastle at the top of his field and working tirelessly to improve health outcomes among disadvantaged communities,\u201d Cr Nelmes said.
\n\u201cThe year 2020 was challenging for our health professionals, so it is apt that today we recognised Dr Kong for his continued efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.\u201d
\nAwarded Newcastle\u2019s Young Citizen of the Year 2021 was professional netballer Samantha Poolman.
\nPoolman, of Rankin Park, was recognised for her contributions to women and girls in sport, representing Newcastle in the GIANTS Netball team at the sport\u2019s most elite level. She is also an ambassador for the Confident Girls Foundation, inspiring and empowering a new generation of young netballers.
\nIn 2020, Poolman led a fundraiser for Black Summer bushfire affected communities through her Hunter athlete development program, Aspire Netball, which raised $12,000 for Netball Bushfire Relief.
\nThis year City of Newcastle also awarded a Senior Citizen of the Year accolade to Jaci Lappin, CEO of Carrington Bowling Club, for her dedication to providing a safe, inclusive space for the community to gather, enriching the City\u2019s vibrant social tapestry through a range of community activities. This became even more significant at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when social isolation was prevalent.
\nMs Lappin was also the driving force behind fundraisers to install solar panels and complete much-needed renovations to the club.
\n\u201cBoth Samantha and Jaci are well respected, well-loved members of our community who give so much of their time to that which they are passionate about for the benefit of others, and I\u2019m pleased to be able to formally acknowledge their contributions,\u201d the Lord Mayor said.
\nTaking out Community Group of the Year 2021, Hamilton Business Association Inc was recognised for its commitment to the betterment of the Hamilton community, and the Association\u2019s renewed sense of purpose to attract people to the Beaumont Street precinct and surrounds.
\nThe Hamilton Business Association has worked closely with the City during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the community\u2019s safety, a partnership from which the LiveSpots initiative was born, helping local musicians recover from the pandemic\u2019s economic impact.
\nThe Association was also instrumental in helping to secure a new home in September for Newcastle Men\u2019s Shed after four years without a dedicated space.
\n\u201cHamilton Business Association embodies the sense of community spirit the Community Group of the Year award aims to highlight and celebrate,\u201d the Lord Mayor added.
\n\u201cI commend each of our 2021 award recipients and congratulate them all on making Newcastle an even better city to live, work and play.\u201d
\n\"Lord-Mayor-Nuatali-Nelmes-with-City-of-Newcastle-s-2021-Citizenship-Award-recipients-web-1.jpg\"(L-R): Hamilton Business Association Chair Janice Musumeci, representing City of Newcastle’s Community Group of the Year 2021; Senior Citizen of the Year 2021 Jaci Lappin; Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes; Citizen of the Year 2021 Associate Professor Kelvin Kong; and Young Citizen of the Year 2021 Samantha Poolman.<\/sup><\/strong>
\nCity of Newcastle\u2019s Awards Program is judged by a panel consisting of:<\/p>\n