The Australia Day Council of South Australia will head to Naracoorte and Mount Gambier for a Tour of Honour this week, bringing incredible Australian of the Year Award awardees to the Limestone Coast for a free event.
It will be a unique opportunity for the community to engage with these inspirational South Australian recipients including 2020 Local Hero Bernie Shakeshaft who has turned around the lives of some of Australia’s most vulnerable kids; 2022 Australian of the Year Professor Helen Marshall AM, a most celebrated and recognised vaccination researcher; 2022 Senior Australian of the Year Mark Le Messurier who has devoted his life to improving the self-worth, wellbeing, mental health and life outcomes of young people; 2022 Young Australian of the Year Dr Trudy Lin, the youngest of only 20 practising specialists in Australia’s Special Needs Dentistry and 2022 Local Hero of the Year Monique Bareham, a lobbyist that has achieved greater outcomes for people living with lymphoedema.
These Australians of the Year cover areas across mental health and wellbeing, self-worth, advocacy, for young people, people with a disability and for those living with chronic health conditions.
This event has been made possible thanks to presenting partner MGA Insurance, supporting partners Barry Maney Group, Essity Medical Solutions, Tenison Woods College and the University of South Australia Mount Gambier Campus and accommodation partner The Commodore .
Naracoorte Lucindale Council, Grant District Council and Mount Gambier City Council are also involved in delivering this opportunity to the local area.
Grant District Council corporate services director Gary Button said council was more than happy to partner with this program to bring the honourees to the region.
“Without support from various groups we do not get people like this coming down to present these functions to our region,” he said.
“We will be supporting by attending and we absolutely encourage the impact these sessions can provide.
“It is positive the Australia Day Council of South Australia are proactive in getting these conversations started in regional areas.”
The first public event will take place at the Naracoorte Town Hall tomorrow at 1pm.
Honourees will continue their tour presenting at Tenison Woods College at the Pam Ronan Centre on Thursday at 5:15pm. The last stop on their whirlwind tour will be a panel at the University of South Australia in Mount Gambier from 9:30am.
Visit australiadaysa.com.au to book for this free event or for more information.
