Avon heroes honoured at Australia Day awards

The town's annual Australia Day concert at Bernard Park welcomed 16 new citizens and highlighted the work of local residents as part of the Community Citizen of the Year awards.

Passionate cancer fundraiser and respected businesswoman Dianne Tinetti was named the Shire of Northam's Community Citizen of the Year for her work initiating and managing the town's Australia's Biggest Morning Tea (ABMT).

Over the 22 years of running ABMT, Mrs Tinetti has helped raise $100,000 for the Cancer Council WA.

From small initial beginnings, Mrs Tinetti has gradually built up an army of volunteers to support her and expand the depth and diversity of the activities which have become synonymous with the Northam ABMT event.

She has expanded the involvement of the wider community including the Northam Senior High School hospitality students, the Rural Medical School students, the Bridgeley Mothers of Pre-schoolers and Fresh Start Recovery Program clients.

Mrs Tinetti has been the coordinator of fundraising with the SIDS Foundation's Red Nose Day and been a participant in the Relay for Life Cancer Walk.

She actively supports her daughter who is closely involved with the Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation organising an annual two-day horse ride in the local area.

In recent months Mrs Tinetti has been elected as the State President of the Australian Funeral Directors Association (AFDA).

In the seniors category, community advocate Ann Gibbs was recognised for her service with the Inner Wheel club and involvement as chairperson for community services provider Share and Care.

Two Northam groups shared the honours with Pink Up Northam and the STRYKA Fight Team taking out awards for this respective contributions to the local community.

Award nominees included Joanne Hill, Rosemary Power, Joy Smith, Randle Beavis, Esther Bliss, Bronwyn Dunn, Guy Mead, Lynette Butler, Steven Douglas, Jessica Joy, Donna Prytulak and Kay Ruscoe.