Shock win for Karen

Karen McMahon proudly displays her Coolum Citizen of the Year award.

Mike Garry

WHEN Karen McMahon was asked by Coolum Lions to be a guest speaker at last week's meeting she had no idea she was being set up.

The co-ordinator of the Coolum Community Centre accepted and went along to address the meeting about her work at the centre but was shocked to discover the main item on the agenda was the announcement she had been named the 2012 Coolum Citizen of the Year.

"It absolutely astounded me. It was wonderful," she said.

"To actually receive this sort of acknowledgement and recognition within the Coolum community is something because I can't believe what a community spirit Coolum has.

"To get that recognition from your peers is unbelievable ... (I'm) very honoured."

But there was more joy to come for Karen.

Her beloved Coolum Community Centre was named Community Group of the Year.

"I couldn't believe it. I still can't," she said.

"It really makes you proud because I knew the vision I wanted to have for this centre and to now have that acknowledgement is brilliant.

"And yet, I feel as though we've only just begun."

The centre provides a range of community services for those in need and for people looking for a creative or social outlet.

Services include the People in Prosperity program, which assists long-term unemployed people of all ages to enhance self esteem and develop job skills to re-enter the workforce.

Emergency relief services assist people experiencing financial difficulties with food, transport, budgeting advice and pharmaceutical assistance.

The centre also provides youth drug and alcohol outreach workers, a family support program, domestic violence counselling and sexual health counselling.

"It's a place of opportunity where people can come and connect into the community," Karen said.

"When we work with these people to help them get back on their feet, they then want to give back to the community, so to me that's the greatest thing we are doing."

When Karen came to the centre six years ago she had to turn around its reputation as a gathering place for delinquents engaging in anti-social behaviour.

"This is now a place of purpose; it's not a hangout joint," she said.

"When you come in here you're going to be involved in something that's really good."

Coolum Twilight Markets co-ordinator Heather Davis was named the 2012 Volunteer of the Year award.

Heather has contributed 30 years active service to the Coolum Lioness Club and for nearly 10 years has been co-ordinating the popular Friday markets, which have run over the Christmas holidays since 1993.

Heather gives many hours of her time, organising the council permit, liaising with the 80-plus stallholders, arranging advertising and overseeing the operation of the markets, which benefit the local community.

The community awards are traditionally announced on Australia Day but last month's celebrations were washed out.