Citizen of the year encourages nominations
Shire of Roebourne 2013 citizen of the year, Grant Cucel, is encouraging residents to nominate community members working hard behind the scenes with the opening of nominations for the 2014 awards.
Small Business Centre West Pilbara chairman Grant Cucel said it had been a big surprise when he found out he had been nominated.
"Two people unbeknownst to me put a nomination in for me … and then in December I received a letter in the mail which took me by surprise," he said.
"Typically we don't do things for awards, but it certainly was really nice to be recognised."
Mr Cucel said the award built up a profile for the business incubator project the centre was working on last year.
He said the award had helped raise the project's profile.
"One of the biggest issues here in the Pilbara is we have the smallest number of small business per capita compared to the State average, so we've been using the profile of the award to make sure we highlight this disparity," Mr Cucel said.
He said he hoped by drawing attention to the disparity it would help ensure resources were put into changing the statistic and making a more diverse, robust local economy and secure, vibrant community.
Mr Cucel said the experience was humbling and described the community recognition as a great honour.
"It was really a proud moment for me, and I would recommend people take the time to show their thanks and appreciation to those hard-working community members out there," he said.
Shire of Roebourne president Fiona White-Hartig said Australia Day 2014 nominations were an opportunity for people to recognise someone inspirational.
"Nominating another community member says 'you make our country and our town a better place to live'," she said.
Ms White-Hartig said with weather permitting, there would be a poolside celebration at the Karratha Leisureplex, as part of Australia Day celebrations.
Nominations are now open for citizen of the year, young citizen of the year, sports achievement award, young sports, environmental award, community spirit recognition and the community service award.
