Frankston City honours 2022 citizens of the year

Published on 26 January 2022

Mayor, Nathan Conroy, announced the 2022 Frankston City citizens of the year at a special ceremony this morning at the Frankston Arts Centre (FAC).

The 2022 Frankston City Citizen of the Year is Trudy Poole who was nominated for her incredible contribution to the community, particularly through her work helping those in need.

Trudy is the Treasurer of the Rotary Frankston Peninsula 2.0 Club, which she was heavily involved in establishing.

She volunteers her time to assist in securing accommodation and food for people experiencing homelessness (including through the Brekky Club), provides support to local veterans and newcomers to Frankston, and is integral to the Birth Tree project at Montague Park.

Her generosity extends beyond the City walls. Trudy is a huge supporter of The Green Gecko Project which helps Cambodian families experiencing homelessness to access accommodation, care and education. In many cases, Trudy has assisted children from these families in achieving university degrees.

Trudy said: “Being the Frankston City 2022 Citizen of the Year is an honour and privilege.

“I am humbled to receive the award, which I accept on behalf of all volunteers who put so much time and effort into our Frankston community to make it a wonderful place to live.

“I get pleasure from making a difference to people’s lives. It’s infectious – if you are kind to someone and show them compassion, then that can make them feel good about themselves and go on and encourage them to help others.

“I would like to thank my husband, Russell. We are a team and he has provided major support for my volunteering efforts over the years,” Trudy said.

Erminio (Minio) Rossetto was named the 2022 Senior Citizen of the Year for his voluntary community work with the Kananook Creek Association and the Long Island Tennis Club.

Like so many who generously donate their time, Minio is a modest volunteer who prefers to avoid the limelight and ‘get on with the job,’ - although his contributions to the Frankston City community are truly outstanding.

Minio, who migrated from Italy to Frankston when he was four, has performed over 40 years of voluntary community work with the Kananook Creek association and 20 years as groundsman and caretaker of the Long Island Tennis Club.

Minio said: “When you see something that could use some work, you get in and improve it ─ and that’s what I did. When I moved to Gould Street I thought Kananook Creek looked a bit shabby. I spoke with Robert Thurley, who I went to school with, and he said ‘come and volunteer’ ─ it all started there.

“We have always had such a good team of volunteers around us and I couldn’t do it without my wife, Claire.”

The 2022 Young Citizen of the Year is student Bethany Yeuong, who was nominated by Frankston High School Senior Campus Principal, Helen Wilson.

Bethany is an advocate for social inclusion and diversity, champion for environmental sustainability, accomplished musician and avid fundraiser. She empowers her peers to contribute to the community and improve their wellbeing.

“Bethany is an exemplary leader who continues to strive for and inspire social

change as she has led her peers to genuinely rethink the world and contribute in positive ways to the wider community,” Ms Wilson said.

Bethany said receiving the award was an absolute honour.

“Not for the award itself, but for the thought that my time has had a positive imprint on our school and wider community; it makes me more happy than anything to have being able to be a part of lifting somebody’s spirits, and this award only inspires me to do more,” she said.

“I am a big believer in creating the life you want to live, and in a world where we have the power to choose what we put out to others, I choose kindness.

“I don’t want this award to be about me, but a recognition of all the incredible people in our Frankston community. Our community is truly a community where we help each other out, and I want to acknowledge all the amazing people out there who make it what it is. Especially to all of my incredible parents, teachers and friends who spread nothing but positivity, and never fail to be an inspiration to everyone around them, including me.”

This year, a special Community Award was presented to Peninsula Health frontline workers for their service to the community during the pandemic. Peninsula Health Chief Executive Felicity Topp said she was humbled to accept the award on behalf of hardworking nurses and midwives at the health service.

Ms Topp said: “Our nurses and midwives have done an outstanding job continuing to provide an exceptional level of care to our patients under incredibly challenging circumstances.

“This award shows how thankful our community is for the enormous effort our nurses and midwives have put in throughout the past year and it is wonderful to have them recognised in this way.”

Mayor Conroy thanked the Citizen of the Year recipients for their dedication to the City.

“We live in a truly inspiring place and it is made even better because of you. On behalf of the community, thank you for your service. You perfectly embody our community’s vision for 2040 through your commitment to creating a healthy, vibrant, inclusive and sustainable Frankston City.”

This morning was also particularly memorable for Frankston City’s 60 newest citizens who were formally welcomed and celebrated at the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony at the FAC.

The ceremonies were attended by Federal Member for Dunkley, Peta Murphy, Members for South East Metropolitan Region, Gordon Rich-Phillips and David Limbrick, Frankston City Deputy Mayor, Cr Suzette Taylor, Councillor Sue Baker and Council Chief Executive Officer, Phil Cantillon.

Look out for video interviews with our 2022 citizens of the year on the Frankston City Council Facebook page. Click here for further information on the Community Vision 2040.

Left to Right
Senior Citizen of the Year Erminio (Minio) Rossetto, Young Citizen of the Year: Bethany Yeuong, Community Award of the Year: Sony from Peninsula Health frontline workers, Citizen of the Year: Trudy Poole with Frankson City Mayor Cr Nathan Conroy