Michelle Giovas is Banyule Citizen of the Year 2023
Published on 31 October 2023
Banyule Mayor, Councillor Peter Castaldo announced passionate community leader, Michelle Giovas as 2023 Citizen as the Year at the Banyule Community Gala Dinner on Saturday 28 October.
“Michelle is known for her passion, commitment and tenacity. Her past and present volunteering includes – but is definitely not limited to! - Friends of Banyule, Warringal Conservation Society, Banyule Environment and Climate Action Advisory Committee, Montmorency Community Group, Monty Biodiversity Group and North East Link Project Community Liaison Group. It’s no wonder she has been described as a “human dynamo”!” Cr Castaldo said.
Michelle says she was surprised and extremely honoured to be chosen as the 2023 Banyule Citizen of the Year. After more than a decade of community activism on environmental and planning issues in Banyule, Michelle thought that her outspokenness would count against her. The Award celebrates the contributions of a person whose service and commitment has benefited our community, as Michelle has done with passion and energy. She has brought her considerable professional experience in the environmental field to her voluntary work.
“One of the best parts of being involved in community issues is getting to meet and work with some truly amazing and inspiring people”, said Michelle, such as during the successful campaign to save Banyule Homestead, and the funeral that she organised to grieve the trees lost around the Simpson Army Barracks during North East Link construction. Another satisfying achievement is her timely efforts that saved the big trees on Lower Heidelberg Road outside Woolworths during construction of the new building.
Michelle cares deeply about Banyule and is passionate about helping to make it a better place to live by minimising the health and environmental impacts of major projects. She intends to continue to advocate for better outcomes for the Banyule community and to minimise damage to the environment.
Michelle has been involved with a wide range of Banyule community groups and committees. She has been a committee member of Warringal Conservation Society, Montmorency Community Group and the Montmorency Biodiversity Group as well as being the current President of Friends of Banyule. Michele took part in several Banyule Council Stakeholder Groups and has been a community representative on the North East Link Project Community Liaison Group and the Level Crossing Removal Project Landscape Committee.