Grant District Council has announced this year’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award recipients.
Nominations were received from a range of groups and individuals with the award winners comprising a young Country Fire Service (CFS) Cadet, SA Ambulance and CFS coordinator, Allendale East Area School students who led a significant fundraiser effort and a community Christmas party event.
Grant District Mayor Kylie Boston said the Australia Day Awards were an exceptional occasion to acknowledge the outstanding contributions residents and organisations make to the wellbeing and enhancement of the local community.
“It is important that individuals and groups are celebrated for their commitment over the past year and in most cases over many years of service,” she said.
“Our community would not be as strong and vibrant as it is without their efforts.”
All winners will be awarded at a private event on Australia Day and nominees will also be invited to attend the event and be presented a certificate.
Official proceedings from the event will be livestreamed via the Grant District Council Facebook page and a video of the presentations will be uploaded to the council website with closed captions.
Citizen of the Year – Sheryl Teigesser
Sheryl is an active volunteer in the Donovans community.
Sheryl’s passion for helping others has led her to volunteer with various groups and organisations, including the Donovans Country Fire Service (CFS) Brigade, Donovans Recreation Advisory Council (DRAC) and Port MacDonnell SA Ambulance Service.
With eight years of experience coordinating administration for the DRAC and volunteering as the administration coordinator for the Donovans CFS for some years, Sheryl also utilises her skills each year to assist with coordinating the local ‘Biggest Morning Tea’ for the Cancer Council, and both Donovans Easter and Christmas Markets.
Those who know Sheryl describe her as a team player and dedicated to the projects she is involved with, making her a deserving winner of the 2023 Grant District Council Citizen of the Year Award.
Young Citizen of the Year
Elivia Stanley
As a newer resident to the Grant District Council, Elivia has wasted no time in becoming an enthusiastic member of the local community.
Elivia is an athlete at the Port MacDonnell Netball Club and a cadet with the Kingsley CFS Brigade.
Caring and committed are two words that have been used to describe Elivia which is reflected in the interactions she has with others in the community.
Elivia’s caring nature is a strong trait noticed by the Allendale East Area School where she is currently undertaking a traineeship.
Elivia’s willingness to participate in the local community will be a great asset for her and the district going into the future and is why she is a worthy recipient of the 2023 Grant District Council Young Citizen of the Year Award.
Community Event of the Year – Yahl Soldiers Memorial Hall for ITS Hall Christmas Celebration
Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and uncertainties, there were limited community events held during 2021.
The Yahl Soldiers Memorial Hall was one local group able to host a successful event being its community Christmas party.
A total of 70 Yahl community members came together to enjoy a day full of classic backyard games, a barbecue lunch and popular jumping castle kindly donated by Member for Barker Tony Pasin.
Locals also got into the Christmas spirit early by decorating their home entrances which were judged with a winner being awarded at the community Christmas celebration.
Yahl is a thriving community within the Council area and events like the Yahl Hall Christmas Celebration allow residents to prosper and connect making Yahl Soldiers Memorial Hall a deserving awardee for the 2023 Grant District Council Community Event of the Year.
The Active Citizenship Award – Allendale East Area School for ITS Biggest Morning Tea
With many school events postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19, Allendale East Area School was eager to get involved with the community again.
The school jumped back into the community spirit by hosting a ‘Biggest Morning Tea’ to fundraise for the Cancer Council.
The event was the school’s first in over a year and saw many students actively participate in organising and running the morning tea held at the Port MacDonnell Golf Club.
A total of $1500 was raised by the students for the Cancer Council.
School teachers have reported that students demonstrated great leadership skills making the fundraiser a success.
In addition to raising money for a worthy cause, the event and social interaction was well received by the community which makes the Allendale East Area School an appropriate winner of the 2023 Grant District Council Active Citizenship Award.
