26 January 2014

Two local citizens have been recognised for their community service and health promotion being awarded Citizen of the Year accolades at the Strathfield Council Australia Day celebrations.

Dr David Tang and May Wong, 24, were announced as the recipients of the Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year awards respectively today.

The pair were presented with their awards by Mayor of Strathfield, Cr Daniel Bott and Australia Day Ambassador Mrs Karen Banton at Strathfield Council’s Australia Day celebrations at Strathfield Park.

Both received their awards in recognition for their extensive community health and medical work, which has not only made a valuable contribution to Strathfield, but also to the wider community.

“Both of these members of the Strathfield community have dedicated much of their time and energies, both professionally and personally to helping others, particularly in the field of health and community service and it makes me proud to have them represent Strathfield as our Citizens of the Year,” Cr Bott said.

Citizen of the Year Dr. David Tang, a long-term Homebush West resident has long played an active role in the community of Homebush West. As President of the Flemington Chamber of Commerce, Dr Tang has worked closely with Council in 2013 on initiatives in partnership with the local community and businesses for the improvement of the Homebush West shopping precinct. Dr Tang provided an important link between Council and the local community to involve them in graffiti and waste removal campaigns, safety initiatives to make local shoppers and businesses feel safer and input over the improved lighting of the local car park.

In his professional field, Dr Tang is the Vice-President of the Australian Vietnamese Aged Care Services which successfully applied for Federal Government funding to build the first, not-for-profit, Vietnamese Nursing Home in Sydney to care for elderly Vietnamese Australians.

Young Citizen of the Year May Wong, has completed her Bachelor of Medicine degree and is continuing to study a Masters in Medicine and Epidemiology. May’s medical research has seen her awarded several research scholarships from the Heart Foundation, Kidney Health Australia and Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia.

A Strathfield local, May recognises the importance of being involved in health on a local level. Through her membership of the Sydney Chinese Lions Club, May was instrumental in organising a local health promotion expo attended by 300 people to raise awareness of common medical conditions such as breast and prostate cancers.

May also tutors young migrants in English on the weekends in Homebush, is involved with a CSIRO Education program nurturing local students with an interest in Maths and Sciences and volunteers at a Burwood General Practice Surgery.

In 2013, May was the recipient of a Strathfield Youth Achievement Award, a State Finalist in the Young Leader category of the Pride of Australia Medal and the University of NSW Clinical Association Dean’s Teaching Award.