Majella Fallon, Smithfield State High School teacher, recognised as Cairns Citizen of the Year 2023
A renowned teacher who established a breakfast club at her school to feed her most in-need students has been named Cairns Citizen of the Year. See our photo gallery.
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A renowned teacher who established a breakfast club at her school to feed her most in-need students has been named Cairns Citizen of the Year.
Smithfield teacher Majella Fallon received the award at the 2023 ceremony held at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino on Wednesday morning.
Ms Fallon, the Head of Department for Arts at Smithfield State High School, was recognised for her empathetic service to young people, enduring community spirit and promotion of the arts.
Her role in establishing her school’s breakfast club – after noticing several students frequently arrived at school underfed, which impinged upon their learning – was particularly noted at the ceremony.
Ms Fallon said she felt overwhelmed to be distinguished among an “amazing” crop of nominees that included former Mayor Kevin Byrne, Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O’Neill and respect paediatrician Dr Tim Warnock.
“All those people, I see the work they do. For me to be chosen as the winner of this award … I’m just so honoured,” Ms Fallon said.
“I never realised that I would even be in the running.
“I have many opportunities as an educator to touch lives. This is now my thirty-seventh year of teaching. What I love is being able to make a difference throughout the day, and I’m doubly blessed because I can do that with my passion and love for music education.”
In recognition of her empathetic leadership, Ms Fallon has come to be described by the Smithfield student body as their “school mum”.
“Education is more than academic achievement these days. We’re entrusted to develop and grow and love our future generations,” she said.
“When I became a parent, I truly believed in my heart that I became a better teacher.
“The school day can be a long one for a student who hasn’t had a great day … so the little things make a difference – a kind word, a smile, positive affirmation.
“So I guess I am everybody’s mum. I look out for everyone, staff and students.”
JCU Alumna and Cairns Chamber of Commerce executive assistant Alannah Giuffrida won the Young Citizen of the Year award.
Ms Giuffrida, 26, was the former commercial manager at the Northern Pride and now coordinates the CoC’s Emerging Leaders Program.
She said she was shocked when notified of her award, and credited her family for her success.
“Everything I do is because I’m so passionate about it,” Ms Giuffrida said.
“If you were in the crowd today you would have heard my mum. My parents are amazing, I’m so grateful for everything they’ve given me, the opportunities and the unconditional love.”
Hannah Boon, who was described at the ceremony as “the epitome of a community-minded person”, was awarded Volunteer of the Year. Ms Boon is the president of the Rotary Cairns Club of Northern Beaches and a six-year volunteer with Cairns Street Chaplains.
James Kerr, manager of the Jabalbina On Country Program, was awarded the Cultural Award. Mr Kerr works with Indigenous children, many of whom are involved with Youth Justice, to foster prosocial behaviours, spiritual awareness and a sense of responsibility to improve school attendance, provide employment opportunities and engender stronger connections to culture and country.
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Originally published as Majella Fallon, Smithfield State High School teacher, recognised as Cairns Citizen of the Year 2023
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