THE selfless acts of a woman who’s had to learn to walk and talk again after a brain tumour have been recognised with Anita Anderson being named the City of Logan’s Citizen of the Year.
Ms Anderson is founder of A Touch of Hope, a charity at Springwood which provides hot meals, desserts, drinks, clothing, linen and more for those in need.
The charity supports hundreds of Logan residents each year and hosts two community outreach sessions each week on the corners of Wembley and Ewing Roads in Woodridge.
When not serving meals, it sometimes becomes a street library, hairdresser or vet for family pets.
Recently, Ms Anderson has recovered from a brain tumour.
It was the driving the force that – even despite having to learn to walk and talk again – enabled Ms Anderson to get straight back out on Logan’s streets, to help others.
Logan Mayor Darren Power said: “Anita represents and supports her community at the highest possible level and is
more than deserving of the highest honour our City bestows on Australia Day.”
“Through A Touch of Hope, Anita has changed the lives of so many people across Logan, and beyond.
“And in recent months, she has done that despite facing incredible personal challenges of her own.”
The 2021 Logan Young Person of the Year is 17-year-old, Juliet Thottunkal, who was recognised for her volunteer work at the Asthma Foundation, the Queensland Cancer Council, the Smith Foundation, Doctors Without Borders and Second Chance, among others.
The enterprising teen recently developed, organised and ran a garden show in Logan West to raise money for the Cancer Council, collecting over $5000.
Two Spirit of Logan Awards were also presented to Takisha Lyons, and Robert Haberle at the Australia Day ceremony.
Takisha, also just 17, is the co-founder of Diversity with Dance which has developed inclusive dancing programs through Access Community Services, Logan City Council, City View and the PCYC.
Robert was recognised for his work spreading festive joy to children across Logan as part of the Be an Elf Charity, which grants wishes in the form of gifts for vulnerable youth on Christmas Day.
Logan’s Australia Day ceremony was also one of welcome and celebration for 144 people who became Australian citizens at the event.
