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This category strives to identify and recognize an individual who has been well-regarded by the executive management of the Organisation of African Communities of WA for promoting interests of the African Community. The Community Pillar Award is awarded to any individual decided by the executive management. The recipient of this award is recognized as the best and the respectable individuals that the African community has to offer. Community Pillar Award is not one of the five competitive awards. No nomination is available for this ward.
Janine Freeman
Janine is the former MP for the Mirrabooka and has served and helped the community in several capacities. These include hosting events at Parliament House, working with the community on the establishment of OACWA, advocating for funding for OACWA programs, and directly even sponsoring some of the OACWA events. Janine is a key part of the Kaleidoscope mentoring program of the City of Stirling. This program assists newly arrived migrants to gain vital knowledge of the Australian work environment.
As MP, Janine assisted many community members on day-to-day issues connected to housing, citizenship, and employment. She was ever-present and supported leadership programs of OACWA aimed at uplifting community members in leadership. Although she is no longer the MP, she continues to provide her services to the community.
Highlights of her outstanding commitment to the WA African Communities include mentoring and nominating the first African Australian to be elected to the WA Parliament and assisting the current honourable member of the North Metropolitan Region on legislative and parliamentary processes.
Join us to celebrate Janine for her outstanding contribution to the African community and being a pillar addressing issues relating to the African communities.
Paul Odongo
Paul has a long history of community service and involvement.
He is a Pan Africanist and an inaugural member of the OACWA. Paul, a Congolese by marriage, served as the President of the Congolese Community in WA and is currently the Event Coordinator for OACWA. Together with his team, Paul has spearheaded the major OACWA events’ success. These successful events have brought OACWA to this level and positively impacted the African community in WA and beyond.
The former Kenyan Olympic weightlifter competed in the 6th all African game 1995, commonwealth games in Malaysia 1998, came to Australia on a scholarship to study at the AIS (Canberra) in 1999, and competed in the 7th all African games hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa. Paul stills hold the record in his class of 94kg.
Paul extensively recruited and provided employment opportunities to Africans in his last role as a warehouse supervisor at Metcash Food & Grocery in Canning Vale. Presently, as a heavy-duty machine operator with CIVMEC Construction and Engineering has lobbied with his company to create a platform for African graduates and professionals looking for work experience/permanent employment in recent years, great hope and potential.
Ladies and gentlemen, join us to celebrate Paul for such outstanding contributions to the community.
