15 winners in Citizen awards

Andrew Forrest, Malcolm McCusker QC, Dr Michael Stanford and Stan Perron are among 15 recipients of the 2010 WA Citizen of the Year Award.

Mr McCusker received the Community Service Award for his ongoing philanthropy work.

Fortescue Metals Group chief executive Andrew Forrest was awarded the Governor's Award for Regional Development. The judges commented on Mr Forrest's dedication to WA which had opened up the Pilbara region and created numerous job opportunities.

The head of St John of God Health Care, Dr Michael Stanford, was the recipient of the Industry and Commerce Award. While in the position at the Catholic not-for-profit health care group he has been instrumental in growing it locally, nationally and internationally.

The Chairman of the Perron Group, Stan Perron, received the Sir Charles Court Inspiring Leadership Award. Mr Perron established the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation in 1978. It currently supports in excess of 100 charitable organisations, which mainly involve children and medical research.

Reconstructive plastic surgeon, Associate Professor Robert Pearce, was the recipient of the Professions Award.

The Children and Young People Lifetime Achiever Award was awarded to Dr Trevor Parry. The developmental paediatrician is an Emeritus Consultant at Princess Margaret Hospital and is founder and Chair of the WA Branch of the National Investment for the Early Years.

Yvonne Henderson also received an award for Lifetime Achievement amongst Children and Young People. Ms Henderson is current Equal Opportunity Commissioner.

Nyoongar Community leader, Richard Walley, was the recipient of the Indigenous Leadership Award. The judges described him as a role model for Aboriginal and non-aboriginal people alike.

Matthew Lutton, who started his own theatre company aged just 17, received the Youth Arts Award.

Talented musician and sound artists, Jaymes Brown was awarded the Bendat Family Foundation Perpetual Youth Scholarship.

The Youth Award was awarded to Jarrad Brown who as the Director of the John Curtin Leadership Academy helped extended it to a campus in East Malaysia.

Amy Hammond, who was only the second Aboriginal person to graduate from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts was awarded the Wesfarmers Indigenous Youth Scholarship.

Journalist Estelle Blackburn was the recipient of the Arts Culture and Entertainment Award.

The Sports Award recognised Gerard Neesham. Mr Neesham has been involved as a player, coach and administrator in AFL and Water Polo.

The only group to receive an award was the Finding Sydney Foundation which received the Gold Swan Award. The Foundation, made up of five volunteers, was instrumental in discovering the wreck of HMAS Sydney in March 2008.