Wyndham City is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Wyndham Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year Awards.
Peter Nichols – Wyndham Citizen of the Year 2025
Founder of the Wyndham Rotary Club, Peter Nichols, has worked enthusiastically to bring the community together and boost well-being over the past 40 years.
He established the Wyndham Rotary Fun Run, a major annual event that attracts participation from across the region. It raises funds for local charities and projects that aim to improve the lives of residents. In 2024 the proceeds from the fun run supported community health services and mental health research, past events have supported youth programs and educational scholarships.
Peter has also been instrumental in organising community outreach programs. This includes Wyndham Rotary Club led food drives, environmental clean-up campaigns and educational workshops. These initiatives have supported families, promoted environmental stewardship, and offered valuable learning opportunities for young people.
Peter embodies respect, compassion, and integrity in all his interactions. His ability to mobilise volunteers and foster collaboration among local organisations has strengthened community bonds and encouraged civic participation. Even in the face of challenges, Peter has demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness, ensuring that the Rotary Club’s initiatives continue to thrive.
Atticus Tan – Wyndham Young Citizen of the Year 2025
Atticus Tanhas used his knowledge of bike repair to help his community prosper while also contributing to a sustainable future.
Atticus has rescued and repaired over 150 abandoned bikes since late 2022. Atticus has used his skill to respond to community requests for bikes by assisting those who rely on them to get to work and school, donating his time to upgrade them and give to those in need.
Atticus also conducts regular free bike repair sessions at Alamanda College, where he teaches students essential maintenance skills, fostering skill development. Atticus’ efforts keep more bicycles on the road and out of landfill, helping people save money and resources.
Atticus is also an elite sailor, representing Australia in the 2023 Optimist Sailing Championships in Morocco. He shares his sailing expertise by coaching junior programs at local sailing clubs, showcasing his commitment to nurturing the next generation.
Through his tireless efforts, Atticus fosters volunteerism in the community, inspiring others to embrace their own skills for the greater good.
2024 WINNERS
Citizen of the Year - Melba Waugh
Young Citizen of the Year: Krushnadevsinh (Kano)
Kano's contributions have led to youth empowerment, better mental health, inclusivity, and leadership inspiration in the Wyndham community.
As the youngest member of the Western Metropolitan Partnership, Kano has been a strong advocate for the youth, bringing his lived experiences and advocacy to the forefront. Ensuring that young people's voices are heard and acted upon.
Kano's impact on the Wyndham community over the past few years through the various hats he wears, demonstrates a commitment to youth advocacy, mental health, diversity, and community well-being.
Kano’s advocacy has created a more harmonious and diverse environment, and his initiatives have directly improved community well-being in Wyndham.
2023 WINNERS
Leanne Down – Citizen of the Year 2023
Leanne Down is known for always going above and beyond to help the local community, over her time working with the Wyndham Health Foundation. Leanne has helped to raise over $180,000 to support public health care services in Wyndham ranging from paediatrics, ICU, emergency and palliative care.
Leanne also ensures patients who find themselves in hospital on days of significance have something to celebrate. She collects donations of new toys for children to wake up to on Christmas morning and Easter eggs to celebrate over the Easter period. She even raised and donated funds to help fatigued doctors and nurses during Covid with free coffee over a two-week period to let them know they were appreciated.
In the nomination it said that Leanne’s enthusiasm for supporting the local community is infectious. She lives and breathes the Wyndham Health Foundations values of kindness, integrity, innovation and inclusion in everyday life. Leanne leads a dynamic team to help make a difference in the community and support the local public hospital in Wyndham.
Juliette Bormeh Moe – Young Citizen of the Year 2023
Juliette Bormeh Moe arrived from a refugee camp to Australia 11 years ago and since then has dedicated herself to her community by volunteering. Her outstanding commitment is evidenced by her past involvement as a youth leader for the Karenni Melbourne United Youth and now is the President of the Karenni Association of Victoria.
By overcoming her settlement journey as a young 14-year-old and the challenges this entailed she has continued to do her best, quietly studying, achieving her nursing goals, and caring for her community. She goes above and beyond in her nursing work because of her caring nature and commitment to the refugee community.
Her positive "can do" attitude is infectious. People around her tell of many young people aspire to be like her, with some going on to nursing study just like Juliette. She is extremely respectful of everyone she meets and open in her interactions. She has recently accepted the request to be a Board member of Utopia Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health so she can be a voice for the community.
The Wyndham community, which has a growing number of Karenni residents have benefitted enormously from Juliette's day to day involvement in their lives. She works at Utopia Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health in Hoppers Crossing as a practice nurse helping deliver high quality health care.
Because of her refugee background and ability to speak Burmese, Karenni and English, the clients feel valued, heard and very well cared for. She is often called on to interpret for the community and will often be called when clients are in A&E as they are unable to find an interpreter so she gladly helps. She always goes above and beyond.