John Devine, chairman of Sydney Community Services, has been awarded Lane Cove Citizen of the Year.
On Wednesday 19 May, Council held its annual Citizenship Awards Presentation to acknowledge the exceptional contributions and achievements of our local community. The Council also presented its Neighbour Day Awards to residents making a difference in the local area.
John joined the Board of Lane Cove Community Aid in February 2000. He became Vice President in November 2000 and was elected President in September 2003. Since 2003 John has steered the organisation through three mergers – firstly Recreation Rendezvous in 2017, then with Hunters Hill Ryde Community Services and most recently with The Meeting House.
In 2017 the organisation became Sydney Community Services and John was elected the first Chair. The past 20 years has been a time of enormous change in the disability and aged care sector with challenges in funding, staffing and access. John has helped to guide the Board through many changes while providing consistent support and stability for the management team.
John attends regular monthly Board meetings and all of the subcommittee meetings, as well as being available for any impromptu meetings and discussions. In his spare time, he can be spotted on the golf course with wife Leonne, taking part in aquafit classes at the Lane Cove Aquatic Centre, or spending time with his family and three grandchildren.
Other award recipients included: John O’Farrell (Sport); Prue Carroll, Lyn Du, Paul Johnson, Margaret Miller, Emily Patterson, Sarah Smyth (Community Service Awards); Karen Aubrey and Carolyn Shaw (Music, Art & Culture), Alison Cappetta (Leadership); Philippa King and Wade Death (Workplace General); Daniel Sommerville and Alex Cuthbertson (Workplace Council); Tommaso Signorello (Young Achiever) and Julie McKibbin (Neighbour Day Award). Artist Guy Warren received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
