Darebin Community Awards Citizen of the Year
Published on 06 April 2022
Find out about the 2021 Citizen of the Year, special commendation and Young Citizen of the Year award recipients
Winner of the Citizen of the Year: Sue Johnson
Sue Johnson is a composer, musician, musical director, and educator. She has been leading community choirs and providing welcoming, inclusive spaces in Darebin and surrounds for well over a decade. Sue has been a support and lifeline for many over the past two years, persevering in running her five choirs during the Melbourne lockdowns. Sue is highly skilled at facilitating superbly inspirational collective singing experiences. She has provided performance opportunities in the community, most recently at the Our Songs project, singing in pop-up events across Darebin.
Choir singing synchronises the heart, soothes the soul and provides joy and that is what Sue has done, and continues to do for Darebin.
Special commendation award: Fiona Macrae
This year the Committee decided to give a special commendation award in the Citizen of the Year category.
This commendation was awarded to Fiona Macrae, founder and host of Private Parts a web series and online community facilitating conversation around the ‘private parts.’
of our lives and society, often with regards to invisible health conditions. Private Parts is an inherently collaborative space to converse, question, share knowledge and support one another, a space that removes the stigma of shaming people into silence over topics pertaining to their disabilities, trauma, sexual and mental health.
Fiona has gathered a community of local likeminded people living with chronic conditions to share skills and resources to make this project possible. The entire project is curated and created by volunteers who are passionate about change.
The winner of the Young Citizen of the Year Kalep Teokoitu
Kalep is part of the Decibels Youth Music program, a place for people aged 13 to 25 to make and record music, learn skills, and connect with others who love music and the arts. He brings a caring attitude, enthusiasm, and determination to the program.
As a resident Young Producer, he offers mentorships to Decibels participants, fine-tuning their music production skills within Drill and Hip-Hop genres. He uses his love of music to connect with participants whilst providing opportunities and creating roles on projects.
An emerging leader and role model and worthy winner of the Young Citizen of the Year.