The West Coast Council is pleased to announce that the recipients of the 2024 Australia Day West Coast Spirit Awards are Elizabeth (Liz) Sayster and Geraldene Halton, both from Queenstown.
The successful recipients are recognized as valuable community members who give their time willingly to assist others. Awards will be presented at the Mt Lyell Strahan Picnic on Friday 26 January by West Coast Mayor Shane Pitt.
Liz was nominated for her continued advocacy for the health and wellbeing of the West Coast community, and her enthusiasm and determination to do right by the community. She has been nominated for her vision, enthusiasm, innovation, belief in others, peer respect, courage and determination. Her dedication to her community work within the Rural Health Tas Queenstown office not only involves clinical support for clients but also includes charitable efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable West Coasters. She is active in advocating for improved health services in the region, in particular, for aged, frail aged and the disabled in the community. Liz is also active in other community groups and initiatives including the Queenie Quoir and contributing to her local church on Sundays.
In the words of her nominator “Liz embodies the true spirit of our West Coast community and is undoubtedly deserving of this prestigious recognition.”
Geraldene was nominated for her tireless and selfless work in the community including: being instrumental in opening Penghana House to the wider community, being a life member of Mountain Heights School, her 20-year involvement with the Queenstown Golf Club and participating as an ‘Ageing Angel’ for raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Queenstown Hospital Auxiliary. Geraldene is also the Chair of the Queenstown Cancer Group, and volunteers at the Queenstown market making and selling food. Geraldene quietly assists a variety of community members, generously makes herself available if anyone is in need and provides an immeasurable service to the community.
In the words of her nominator “Geraldene provides an immeasurable service to the community, always helps others and is very generous.”
