Each year, the Redland City Council acknowledges the outstanding members and organisations that make up its community through its annual Australia Day Awards Ceremony. 

This year, hosted at the Alexandra Hills Hotel, the ceremony acknowledged the high-achieving members within the community who have made outstanding contributions, and have given freely of their time, knowledge and enthusiasm to promote the welfare and wellbeing of others across the Redlands Coast. 
 

This year two Sheldon College Graduates, Anna Sideris and Dayna Wilson (2018 Alumni) were the joint deserving recipients of one of the major awards - Young Citizen of the Year. Both Anna and Dayna received this award for their selfless commitment and involvement in establishing the CommCube – a 20ft shipping container that through the girl’s efforts has since been transformed into a modern and comfortable living space to serve as temporary accommodation for women experiencing domestic violence within the Redlands. 
 

Anna and Dayna came up with the initiative during their Senior Years at the College and with the help of Mr Carl Altschul, Academic Staff – Faculty of Technology and Mr Rob Needham, Director of Business Development, set about getting to work to make their vision a reality.
 

The design, organisation/sourcing of supplies and construction took place from 2017 – 2018, with the final, fully furnished container being formally donated to Maybanke, a Redlands-based charitable organisation with the sole mission of supporting those who need it most. 
 

This award ceremony is held annually in the lead up to Australia Day on 26 January and is held to acknowledge community service and as a reminder to encourage others to get involved.  
 

For this same initiative, Anna and Dayna have also been nominated for Channel 7’s Young Achiever Awards in the Soroptimist International Women Empowering Others category, which will be awarded in May this year. 
 

To read more about the CommCube please visit our article.