From left to right: President of Auburn Islamic Community Centre, Mohammed Al-Zoubi, Councillor Suman Saha, MP for Granville, Julia Finn, Councillor Michael Zaiter, Cumberland City Council Mayor, Ola Hamed, Local Young Citizen of the Year, Anika Shinde, Councillor Nadima Kafrouni-Saba, Australia Day Ambassador, Mr. Christopher Cheng, Acting Superintendent of the Cumberland Local Area Command, Andrew Mackay
Cumberland City Council is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Local Citizen of the Year Awards, recognising and honouring individuals and groups who have selflessly devoted their time and effort in making a positive impact across Cumberland.
Cumberland prides itself for being one of the most culturally diverse and vibrant Councils in NSW and is proud to give tribute and recognition to the achievements of local individuals and groups that are making a difference in Cumberland.
The awards recognise individuals who have made a significant contribution the Cumberland Local Government Area (LGA), serving as inspirational role models for others. These individuals have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields and have had a lasting impact in the local community.
Cumberland Mayor Ola Hamed highlighted the importance of the awards. These Prestigious awards recognise the recognising outstanding work of exceptional leaders in Cumberland, serving as a sentiment to the type of individuals and groups that reside within the Cumberland LGA.
“It is an honour to give recognition and thanks to our dedicated local citizens who have gone over and beyond in Cumberland. These awards are significant for our Council as it demonstrates the noble work of many of our Cumberland citizens, who actively do what they do, not for praise, but solely because it makes a positive impact in our community. It gives tribute to the qualities that our community is built on; empathy, humility, and selflessness,” she said.
The 2025 awardees are as follows:
- Local Citizen of the Year – Mr. Sriram VENUGOPAL
For more than five years, Sriram has been involved with the not-for-profit organisation Support Organisation for Homeless and Asylum Seekers (SOHAS) , arranging the delivery of essential grocery items to people from all walks of life in the Cumberland LGA, including the elderly, homeless, refugees, domestic violence victims, single parents, and international students.
- Local Young Citizen of the Year – Miss Anika SHINDE
Anika is a young and passionate advocate, aiming to empower the community on social issues and banish stigmas, whilst providing positive change. As a member of the Merrylands Youth Centre Uncensored Podcast , Anika joins other young females in sharing relatable experiences and reliable information to raise awareness and engage with the community through various social media platforms.
- Local Senior Citizen of the Year – Mrs. Sue ROPER
Sue has supported several community groups, particularly the Cumberland RSL Sub-branch and Meals on Wheels , working tirelessly to alleviate social isolation and deliver essential services like food to those in need.
- Sportsperson of the Year – Mr. Hakan ASLAN
Hakan, a committee member and coach at Auburn Football Club , embodies the true spirit of community. He dedicates his time to mentoring junior players, and has gone above and beyond to assist young athletes who struggled to find a club at the last minute, ensuring they were placed in teams. When the club lost a senior player, Hakan quickly set up a GoFundMe to support the player's young family, ensuring they received the financial and emotional support they needed, especially as they were new to Australia without close relatives.
Cumberland City Council is proud to celebrate the remarkable contributions of the awardees, and hope their sincere actions inspire others to continue working together in building a stronger, more compassionate community for all.
