A courageous chef and a schoolie with a big heart are this week’s nominations for Noosa Today Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year from Johanne Wright, the former Noosa Alive director and Friends of Noosa activist.
Have your say
Noosa Today is looking for nominations in both categories of people who in this difficult year have shown true community values, either generally or in their specific field of work, sport or passion. These might be drawn from the fields of the arts, sport, education, health, charity, business, tourism, Indigenous affairs, the environment, aged care, government, or somewhere else we haven’t thought of.
We are looking for two people – one just starting out in life, one with considerable life experience – who have exhibited a generosity of spirit and/or inspired others with their commitment to excellence.
Please explain why you have chosen your nominees in 100 words or less, and email with photos if you have them, to phil.jarratt@noosatoday.com.au or newsdesk@noosatoday.com.au
The Noosa Today Citizens of the Year will be announced in our first issue of 2021.
Johanne’s nominations
Citizen of the Year
Like so many restaurateurs, Andrea Ravezzani, of Noosa Waterfront Restaurant and Bar, faced a devastating future when full lockdown occurred in early 2020. Like so many of his peers, he had to find a solution or face closing the door. Andrea’s strength and point of difference was his fundamental belief in his staff – they are and always will be part of his family as far as he is concerned, and he wanted to do everything to keep them employed. And they all wanted their customers to be satisfied and for the business to keep going.
Waterfront’s take-away business became front and centre of the survival model, creating an extended menu of quality restaurant food for people to take away and enjoy in their homes. Andrea also created pasta dishes and pasta sauces for the local hospital, in recognition of the need for great Italian food to be available when sourcing supplies became harder. Customers and locals loved this and came back for more.
Andrea has been an inspiration to others, and since restrictions have eased, the restaurant is flourishing with new functions such as the outstanding successful Ruinart “Upside Down Dinner” in October being followed this week with the “North Meets South” winemaker dinner.
Young Citizen of the Year
Lawson Kingsley Smith is 18 years of age and until last month was a student at the Good Shepherd College in Noosaville. He has now graduated.
In December last year, after discussions with his family, he decided to become a volunteer at Sunshine Butterflies during his school holidays. Lawson began work in the garden, helping with mulching, building and a host of tasks that he could do, coming from a farming background.
Sunshine Butterflies have come to depend on his skills in the garden and animal farm and are very impressed with his personable approach to all who work there. Lawson has also enjoyed his experience and feels that he has gained far more from his volunteering than he has given to Sunshine Butterflies.
Lawson is a shining example of a young teenager who is strongly community minded.
