The City of Bunbury celebrated some of the town's tireless community members in its Citizen of the Year Awards on Australia Day.
Led by City of Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan, the ceremony saw Helen Robinson awarded Citizen of the Year for her efforts with the region’s LGBTQI community.
Ms Robinson said she was surprised and honoured to receive the award.
“I know there are so many people in Bunbury worthy of awards but to be chosen out of all the people who were standing up on stage was a privilege,” she said.
“It’s been a big year for LGBTQI people and I guess we’ve had to work hard to keep people safe and negate the impact of the plebiscite.
“There’s been a lot going on so the work we have been doing has stood out as important, this year in particular.”
Ms Robinson said it was as much an award for the community who had helped as it was for her.
“I worked for Uniting Care West and had a program called True Colours and we provided support and a safe space for young people in the LGBTQI,” she said.
“When we lost the funding we knew how important it was to continue something in Bunbury and not just leave these young people stranded without any support.”
Morrissey Homestead Incorporated received Community Group of the Year, Samantha Russell was named Young Citizen of the Year while The Willcox Brown Perpetual Trophy went to the APEX Club of Bunbury Koombana.