2024 Community Service Award Recipients

In 2024, the following groups and individuals were specifically recognised for their contributions to our community.

Prospect Blair Athol Lions Club members were nominated for their work over the last 12 months, supporting the charities including Operation Flinders; Yarrow Place; Catherine House; Mary Potter foundation; Lions Club International Foundation; Hutt Street Centre; Multiple Sclerosis Association of SA; MND Association of SA; Lions Childhood Mobility Foundation; and Meals on Wheels Prospect.

St John Ambulance Australia - Prospect Team embodies the community values of making everyone feel welcome and included which has seen an increase in volunteer numbers over the last 12 months.  Dedicated to providing health and medical services to our community, they reach into every corner of our community, from schools and childcare centres to clubs and local businesses, providing first aid education.  They prepare themselves for state or interstate disasters and emergencies.

Prospect Tennis Club has always had a strong sense of local community with building rapport with other clubs and schools. The committee pride themselves on having a membership base consisting of 80% City of Prospect residents. Prospect Tennis Club participate in the February Twilight Sessions, host annual free community open days.  They have installed an online court booking system which makes accessing and using the courts far more accessible and the pinnacle is the proposed 2024/5 upgrade to the court facilities that will include brand new courts which are wheelchair accessible and compliant with Tennis Australia standards, meaning that elite competitions (such as the Adelaide International) can be held at the club. This is not only exciting for the club and its members, but for the wider community who will have full access also.

Prospect Community Garden were nominated 'as a place that provides an opportunity for local people to meet and grow together', a place for local community members to grow food, share a love of gardening, participate in healthy outdoor recreation. Prospect Community Garden has now been successfully operating for more than 10 years, with activities that included workshops on environmental topics to educate interested community members. They host visits for local primary school classes, providing hands-on gardening experiences. The group of dedicated volunteers are always looking at opportunities to improve the facilities, such as raising the garden beds to be inclusive for older gardeners and persons with special needs.

Nigel Coles was nominated by the North Adelaide Football Club for his service over many years.  Nigel is the Reserves Team Manager and game day/weekly support person for the Football Operations Manager, where he looks after the facility and change rooms, washes guernseys, does stock control of equipment and apparel and organises game day sheets. Nigel works with staff to get home games organised).  He also helps provide assistance to the players throughout the week and 'after hours', providing support to medical and transport staff. Nigel was recently awarded the North Adelaide Football Club 'Person of the Year'.

Garry Mighall has been a member of Prospect Local History Group since 2007 and has made a significant contribution in many ways. He is a researcher and has written or contributed to a number of publications, notably our booklets ‘Origins of Village and Street Names in Prospect’ and ‘Parks in Prospect.’ He was the editor of our publication ‘Buried Treasures: Prospect People in North Road Cemetery.’ He produced the historic display boards found at the Prospect Air Raid Shelter and in the Memorial Gardens. He also edited and produced the newsletter for many years.

Jean Harris is a dedicated member of St Cuthbert's Anglican Church on Prospect Road, and has been for 70 years!  Every Sunday Jean is found welcoming parishioners.  From the age of 22, Jean has lived in Prospect since she moved from the country to live 70 years ago.   Jean was married in St Cuthbert's Anglican Church in 1954 and with her late husband Les, looked after the garden, painted the rectory and her weekly chore is still polishing the brass and preparing the holy sacraments.  Jean was nominated for her service to St Cuthbert's Anglican Church and we feel that she is a very worthy recipient of this award.

Caitlin Davies is the Secretary of the Prospect Tennis Club.  In the last 12 months, she has been providing information and attending meetings with the council for the proposed 2024/5 upgrade to the court facilities. She has successfully run a multitude of events, increasing the club’s presence and positive social culture.  She manages the social media and is the joint organiser of our social tennis program which we run for the general public and local community. She is always around to lend the members a helping hand or to help introduce new players to tennis.

Theadora Kiparaglou is the head coach at Prospect Tennis Club. She has made an immense contribution by offering a new range of programs which have significantly increased participation. Theadora sits on the committee at the club and is the club’s junior coordinator ensuring that the junior are looked after.

Priscilla Vokolos acting in her new role as President has made significant changes within the Prospect Tennis Club. In 2020, she advocated for the club and the club has been successful in receiving state and council funding to complete an entire redevelopment of the court facilities. By creating innovative ideas, the club now has had the biggest attendance in numbers and participation.  Priscilla is currently completing her University Thesis on Sports Psychology.

Alison Rosser is a representative on the board for the last 7 years with STAR Inc, Alison was nominated for her special interest and advocacy for the disability sector, largely through supporting her daughter through the process of navigating disability organisations over the span of 40 years. She has a Masters in Disability and has been involved in the administration of organisations that support people with disabilities, assisting them to develop independent living skills in their own home. With Carers SA, Alison is a speaker that promotes the involvement of family carers in decision making. She is on the board of the Broughton Art Society where they offer community-based art classes and has provided support to enable people with disability to be involved.

Michael Furmaniak was nominated as one of the founders of the Prospect Run Club (PRC); a club for all people to come together each week on a Friday morning and go for a run with coffee afterwards. The activity is free and encourages fitness for all levels, which has led to many people catching the running bug, with participation regularly exceeding 70 people per week! (and a social media following of over 1100 people). The club’s motto “running for no reason” has struck a chord within the Prospect community as a place to get fit, have fun and meet new likeminded people.  Michael leads the weekly runs; this involves planning the running route and begins each run with a motivating speech where he acknowledges new people and presents updates on upcoming events within the club. Michael is a well-known figure in the local Prospect area, he volunteers as head coach for U9’s at the Broadview Football Club.

Kerri Smith has been the Director of Prospect Community Early Education and Care Centre (PCEEC) for 17 years. A not-for-profit self-managed, community-based organisation, providing education and care to up to 85 preschool aged children. Kerry has led a number of fund raising activities and social initiatives at the Centre providing support to families.  She is committed to inclusivity, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.  PCEEC holds an annual community dinner and Christmas dinner which provide a wonderful sense of enhanced community connection and identity.   The Committee at Prospect Community Early Education and Care Centre say it would be wonderful if this recognition was highlighted to the broader Prospect community via an award.

Emma Siami has been nominated by Prospect Community Early Education and Care Centre for her 10 years of service on the management committee.  Emma has been the chairperson for several years and has been involved in all aspects from fundraising.  Emma has contributed to the success of Prospect Community Early Education and Care Centre being the State Winners of the Australian Family Early Childhood Services, 2015 Educator of the Year, 2015 Centre of the Year.  Emma has been described as warm engaging, supportive, understanding and knowledgeable.