Mandurah principal named 2023 Community Citizen of the Year

A Mandurah principal, leaders of community support groups and a water rescue service have been recognised in the 2023 Community Citizen of the Year Awards during Mandurah’s Australia Day  celebrations on Thursday.

The annual awards recognise individuals and groups that have made notable contributions to their communities during the year, and those who have given outstanding service over several years.

Mandurah Primary School Principal Natasha Upcott took out the Community Citizen of the Year award for her involvement in countless community projects and programs all aimed at supporting others.

She was instrumental in bringing about the road safety initiative the ‘Being Safe, Being Seen’ campaign following the loss of two local students due to road accidents.

The initiative has now been rolled out at all schools in Mandurah.

She is also a passionate advocate against family violence and has been involved in coordinating special backpacks for families experiencing issues to make it easier for their children to attend school.

The Community Citizen of the Year – Youth award went to 16-year-old Baylee Freitag.

She is the junior CEO of local organisation Halo Team Mandurah and has been involved in the charity since it was established in 2014 by her mother, Dee Freitag. 

She started volunteering with Halo when she was 15-years-old, and she continues to volunteer while also studying community services and completing business skill training. 

Baylee works six days a week and spends her weekends helping in the Halo Community Kitchen providing meals and support.

The Community Citizen of the Year – Senior award was given to Kaye Seeber.

She established the WA Mums Cottage in Mandurah in 2017 after securing funding through community donations and grants.

WA Mums Cottage is a non-profit charitable organisation based on empowering and improving the lives of mothers and their families experiencing distress or domestic abuse. 

Marine Rescue Mandurah was presented with the Active Citizenship Award – group or event award.

The local volunteer group has been operating for 61-years and is the longest established marine rescue group on the WA coast.

It has close to 100 volunteer members.

In 2022, the group attended more than 160 marine incidents in the estuary and out at sea, as well as assisting in 150 recoveries and 15 distresses totalling close to 20,000 volunteer hours.

Mayor Rhys Williams said this year’s winners had shown immense community spirit by making Mandurah a better place and providing a helping hand to many people around them.

“I’m proud to announce the winners of this year’s Community Citizen of the Year Awards are Natasha Upcott, Baylee Freitag, Kaye Seeber and the Marine Rescue Mandurah group – congratulations to you all,” Mayor Williams said.

“These people have all been dedicated to helping and uplifting others within our community over many years, and that is a true testament of community spirit. They are all very deserving of these awards.

“It never ceases to amaze me what a strong, connected and supportive community we have in Mandurah, and its people like this who are essential in holding these bonds together."