FCC Director Sarah Booth named Joint winner of Fremantle's Citizen of the Year Award
Two community champions have been named Fremantle Citizen of the Year, with the selection committee unable to split the top nominees.
Christian Mauri, who runs ‘Politics in the Pub’ events and the Fremantle Chess Club and Sarah Booth, a passionate advocate for the creative use of underused spaces in Fremantle were jointly presented with the honour by Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge at an awards ceremony at Walyalup Civic Centre on Tuesday evening.
Through her role with Spacemarket, Sarah Booth has worked to find places for small businesses, creatives, not for profits and entrepreneurs to base themselves in Fremantle.
“She has also been a keen supporter of initiatives such as the Street Gallery project, using empty shopfronts to showcase the work of local artists,” Mayor Fitzhardinge added.
“I am so honoured and so thrilled that I get to be a part of the ecosystem. Spacemarket is just one part of a rich ecosystem of people that are all working to make Fremantle the place we all want it to be,” Ms Booth said.
Fremantle’s most prolific blogger, Roel Loopers, was awarded Senior Citizen of the Year for capturing everyday moments of Fremantle life through his photojournalism, and for being an advocate for positive change in the city.
“As the winner of the Citizen of the Year Award back in 2012, I hope he doesn’t mind being recognised in the ‘Senior’ category 12 years later!” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.
“It’s extremely special. I feel very honoured,” Mr Loopers said.
“These awards are a great opportunity for us to thank our local heroes for the important role they play in our community and for making Freo an even better place to live, work and visit,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.