A couple whose story appeared in Mornington Peninsula Magazine last year have been named Frankston’s Citizens of the Year.

The Rev Angel Roldan and his wife, Pastor Ulli Rothstein de Roldan, were honoured on Australia Day, as were Senior Citizen of the Year Roy Giesemann and Young Citizen of the Year Louise Holtzinger.  The Voice of Frankston was named the Community Event of the Year.

MPM highlighted the couple’s work in establishing Life-Gate, which for 25 years has offered support, counselling and food to some of the region’s most vulnerable people, from the homeless to those with drug and alcohol addictions, victims of domestic violence and at-risk youth.  Life-Gate’s award-winning Colour of Hope Youth Art Exhibition was named Frankston Council’s 2016 Community Event of the Year. 

Frankston Mayor Brian Cunial said of the Roldans: “Their passion and determination to support those in need is beyond what is expected of anyone and very much appreciated by the entire community.”

Cr Cunial described Mr Giesemann as “a devoted fan of everything Frankston” and “the type of citizen everyone should aspire to be”.  Mr Giesemann has been a volunteer at the Frankston Visitor Information Centre for 10 years and “proudly promotes how wonderful Frankston is”.

Ms Holtzinger, “the face and voice for Frankston’s youth”, has been an active member of the Frankston Youth Council and a youth councillor for Frankston City Council as well as having roles in the 2015 Frankston Anzac Day service, the annual Frankston Stand for Change, TLC Forest Lodge Aged Care Centre, 2015 Iron-Man Asia-Pacific Championship Melbourne, McClelland College Hands on Learning and Connect and the Youth Day for Mental Health 2016.

Cr Cunial said the winners were “inspiring and courageous people who lead by example, displaying our Australian values and the importance of community spirit, volunteering and giving support to others throughout Frankston City”, while The Voice of Frankston was “a fantastic way to showcase the thriving arts and culture community we have here”.

Meanwhile, 67 adults and 13 children from 22 countries became Australian citizens during the Frankston Australia Day ceremony.