BRMC founder is City’s celebrated Citizen

FOUNDING chair of the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, Dr Sundram Sivamalai is the City of Ballarat’s 2021 Citizen of the Year.

Dr Sivamalai received the award at this evening’s Australia Day honours ceremony at the Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility, where Gabriel Gervasoni was named Young Citizen of the Year, and the Ballarat Reverse Advent Calendar initiative was announced Community Event of the Year.

Working in the regional health space, Dr Sivamalai is a champion of nurse education. On the original steering committee of BRMC – now the Central Highlands’ peak multicultural agency – he’s a strong advocate and mentor for intercultural communities, their wellbeing, diversity and contributions.

“It’s wonderful to receive this formal recognition. It’s a great occasion because I love Ballarat and coming along to events like these is a privilege,” he said.

“I’m a great promoter of Ballarat, the region and residents’ needs. I want to make change in people’s lives.

“I’m Malaysian born. I’ve been a migrant and I have first-hand experience of the turbulence there, so I can share things with them, and be a listening ear.”

Previously Dr Sivamalai has been awarded the Commonwealth Government’s Centenary Medal for his support of migrants, and he has had the role of community representative commissioner for the Victorian Multicultural Commission.

For 33 years, Dr Sivamalai has called Ballarat home alongside his wife Subrata. They have two children.

Young Citizen of the Year Gabriel Gervasoni is a champion of the district’s young people, and the issues that matter to them.

Vision-impaired, the 20-year-old is a passionate member and supporter of the disability community.

With a desire to broadly contribute as much as he can to Ballarat, Mr Gervasoni assists other young people to do the same, working on the Youth Advisory Board, taking part in the Youth Disability Advocacy Service Emerging Young Leaders Program, and the YMCA Youth Parliament.

“This award acknowledges that people with disabilities can achieve the same thing as people without disabilities,” he said.

“It proves that the committees that I’m in, and Ballarat as a whole, are doing the right thing by youth in the area.”

On the organising committee for Spring in the Park, Mr Gervasoni has also given time to Clean Up Australia Day events, and even developed online domestic and family violence resources for young people.

Connecting with the Commissioner for Children and Young People, he put the issues of Central Highlands’ teens and young adults in the spotlight.

Community Event of the Year, Reverse Advent Calendar, is a two-year-old project which launched to support residents in need.

Encouraging the Ballarat community to donate non-perishable food and supplies over the Christmas period, coordinator Heather Luttrell ensured one item per day from the 1st to the 25th of December was given to families experiencing a time of crisis.

“Ballarat’s community spirit and generosity is amazing, and because of that, the project has grown,” she said.

Approximately 1500 boxes were distributed in Ballarat last year. District-wide employees banded together to assist on behalf of their businesses, and some families used the initiative as an opportunity to teach their children about the ‘spirit of Christmas’ while caring for vulnerable people.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney not only congratulated the three honourees, but all residents and initiatives that were nominated.

“The strong field… for these awards highlight both the many inspirational Ballarat people who work to help others in our community, and some outstanding community events and projects,” he said.

“These people and community activities help make Ballarat a great place to live. For tonight’s recipients, this is fitting recognition of their impressive contributions to our city.”