Waverley local heroes of the year 2013

Waverley Local Hero of the Year

Rabbi Dovid Slavin
David Chan
John Fox Williamson

Local Hero Gallery

 

Local Hero Award Winner for 2013, Rabbi Dovid Slavin

Rabbi Slavin is well-known and well-loved in our community and is a very worthy recipient of this Award.  He has been involved with numerous voluntary activities and is a member of the Cancer Institute of NSW and Co-founding Director of Gift of Life Australia, a fantastic organization that works to maintain a register of prospective bone-marrow donors. Rabbi Slavin was appointed Chaplain in the Ambulance Service of NSW, a role that he fulfilled with great distinction.

In recent years, Rabbi Slavin has become very well known as the founder and director of ‘Our Big Kitchen’ or ‘OBK’ www.obk.org.au in Bondi.  This non-denominational, charitable organization brings together people from all walks of life for a range of community-building activities and is used as a catering service not just for the Jewish community, but for all communities in need of food. The kitchen is located in the basement of the Sydney Yeshiva Centre in Bondi and has been visited by a range of high profile personalities with its programs endorsed by Prime Minister Rudd, Governor-General Bryce, NSW former Premiers Nathan Rees and Kristina Keneally among many others. OBK is recognized by the Restaurant and Catering Association and won the national Community Service Award two years running, receiving praise for the high standards of management and service which the community facilities continue to maintain.

Rabbi Slavin’s energy and community spirit is keenly supported by his eight children and his wife Laya Slavin.

Young Local Hero Award Winner 2013, David Chan

David Chan is a medical student at University of New South Wales (UNSW). He has a real passion for people and a string of successes and achievements under his belt. During his first two years at UNSW David has been a key contributor to several volunteering initiatives. These include: Mosaic Fusion Forums (high school, cultural mentoring), Shack Tutoring (low socioeconomic high school students) and Project Hope (UNSW children’s charity society).  

David is a former student of Sydney Boys High School during which time he was elected to numerous leadership positions including prefect, secretary of the Community Service Committee, a High Resolves Initiative Leader, Peer Mediation leader, Halogen Foundation Young Leader and was the recipient of the prestigious Michael Goodwin Memorial Prize. During his time as Secretary of the Community Service Committee in 2007, they raised an all-time high of $118,811 with participation rates in Australian Red Cross blood drives doubled.  David was nominated for this award by Sydney Boys High School Teacher, Jerry Phillipson

Certificate of Achievement, John Fox Williamson

John Williamson has worked very closely with Council over the past three years to achieve some major outcomes at Bondi Skate Park.  John has devoted many hours of time at the Skate Park removing graffiti and educating young people as to the cost of graffiti, and the lasting damage that it causes to the skating surfaces.   Going over and above the call – John’s often donated some of his old skateboards to youngsters that are known to ‘tag’ the parks in an effort to encourage them to re-channel their energy and take up skating instead.

John’s also helped to form an official Council Volunteer Group and acts as its Secretary as well as being the Public Officer for newly established club, Skate Park Riders Inc. Through this club John drives a series of community skate events across the year.

Thanks to John and his wonderful efforts, the amount of graffiti at the Skate Park has reduced significantly. The Park is really looking fantastic as a result.