Sylvanvale is delighted that Ken Warburton, founder of the Sylvanvale Pre WWII Car Show and staunch advocate and fundraiser for people with disability, has been named Citizen of the Year in the 2023 Sutherland Shire Australia Day Awards.
Ken first started fundraising for people with disability as a young boy, after his sister Carol was born with disability in 1944. At that time there were no services available in the local community to support her so Ken’s parents – along with four other families – co-founded Sylvanvale in 1947. Ken and his parents were avid fundraisers for Sylvanvale, a legacy which he continues to this day.
In 2015, keen to continue his family’s proud legacy, Ken founded the Pre WWII Car Show to raise funds for Sylvanvale, which supports people with disability to live the life they choose, and to bring the community together.
Each year, Ken spends months working tirelessly on the event, to ensure it raises as much money as possible. He spends hundreds of hours obtaining sponsors, seeking cars to participate, and promoting the inclusive event. Since its inception, the car show has raised over $120,000.
"Our heartiest congratulations to Ken, whose hard work and commitment has a far-reaching positive impact on the people we support and the wider community.
We are so excited to see him being recognised in this way.”
Save the date!
This year’s Sylvanvale Pre-WWII Car Show will be taking place at Flora Street in Sutherland on Sunday 17 September 2023. Stay tuned for details!
