It started by serving breakfast to hungry school children in her Campsie community.

Seventeen years on, Poompavai Arasu was recognised as CBCity’s 2023 Citizen of the Year, for her continued dedication to volunteering and her work in helping local school kids stay in touch with their families and culture abroad.

“Culture is identity! Many people have migrated all over and they don’t know what their grassroots are. I love helping children to stay in touch with their culture,” Ms Arasu said.

The mother of two is just as passionate about sharing her own culture with the community, giving her time to cooking traditional Indian food for community events and running Diwali celebrations at our local libraries.

Know someone who goes above and beyond for the community like Ms Arasu? Nominate them for a CBCity Australia Day Award.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said the awards are all about recognising those community champions, like Ms Arasu, who have made a real difference.

“As 2023 comes to a close, it’s time to stop and reflect on those who have gone out of their way to make an impact and nominate them for the recognition they deserve,” Mayor El-Hayek said.

“We have so many deserving people in our community, who often fly under the radar.

“The Australia Day Awards are an opportunity to recognise these people and say thank you for their contributions.”

Nomination categories include:

• Citizen of the Year;
• Young Citizen of the Year;
• Volunteer of the Year;
• Organisation of the Year;
• Woman in the community; and
• Jack Mundey Environment and Heritage Award.

Ms Arasu said she did not expect to be named Citizen of the Year, but the award has encouraged her to do even more volunteering.

Her advice is to nominate the people who are always there, who stand up for them and who ask, “how may I help you?”.

“You’re not going to give them a million dollars, but you are giving them the recognition and encouragement they deserve,” Ms Arasu said.

Nominations for the 2024 Australia Day Awards close midnight this Friday 1 December 2023.