The Wattle Range Council has announced who it will honour as ‘local legends’ in its community this Australia Day with a series of special celebrations across the region.
The awards, to be presented on January 26, celebrate the services of individuals and also recognise outstanding community events.
In Kintore Ward (Beachport) Roger Smith has been named Citizen of the Year, with Active Citizen of the Year awarded to Diane Roach and Young Citizen of the Year to Sienna Sutherland.
The Community Event of the Year is the Snakes and Envenomation Community Session hosted by the Beachport Community First Responder Team.
Sorby Adams Ward (Kalangadoo) will award Necia Matthews its Citizen of the Year, with Active Citizen of the Year presented to Ian Matthews and Young Citizen of the Year to Yasmin Sedman.
The Kalangadoo Hotel Show and Shine has been named the Community Event of the Year.
Wendy Thomson has been named the Corcoran Ward (Millicent) Citizen of the Year, with James Donghia acknowledged as Young Citizen of the Year and the Teagle Earthmovers Culberra Lake Rock on the Rails (5THE FM Community Radio) declared Community Event of the Year.
In Riddoch Ward (Penola) the Citizen of the Year is Anne-Marie Williams, with William Goodes named Young Citizen of the Year.
The Community Event of the Year will be awarded to the Agricultural Town of the Year Showcase by the Penola community.
Several Wattle Range Council Youth recognition awards will also be presented, including Contribution to Community – Chad Cockrum, Learning Success – Sienna Sutherland and Yasmin Sedman, Achievement through the Arts – James Donghia and Inspiration by Innovation – Mary-Rose Vander Heul.
Complimentary Australia Day breakfasts will be held in each council ward on Sunday, January 26, starting at 8am.
The local Lions Clubs will provide catering at Beachport’s Centennial Park, the Kalangadoo Institute Hall, Jubilee Park in Millicent, and Penola’s War Memorial Park.
The awards ceremony will commence at 9am, and Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll said he was thrilled to announce this year’s recipients.
“These awards are a wonderful opportunity to express our gratitude for the volunteers who dedicate their time and effort across a wide range of activities,” he said.
“We invite everyone to come along, bring a picnic rug or chair, and join us in celebrating the achievements of these extraordinary individuals on our national day.”
In attendance at the Millicent event this year will be Australia Day Ambassador, Wayne Anthoney OAM. Wayne is an actor, theatre director and teacher, who has also spent time working for Nyangatjatjara Aboriginal Corporation near Ayers Rock. He will be invited to make an address during the official proceedings.
Mayor Noll will attend the breakfast in Beachport and officiate a citizenship ceremony at which three new Aussies will be welcomed.
Awards in Millicent, Kalangadoo and Penola will be presented by elected members of each individual area.
Later that day, further festivities will be hosted by the communities of Tantanoola and Southend, at events featuring fun and games for the entire family.
