The region is gearing up for another year of Australia Day celebrations, with the District Council of Grant and Wattle Range Council revealing their Australia Day award winners.
Grant District award winners
The 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 South Australian Rural Youth Ambassador, Mil Lel A&H Show Society life member, non-profit organisation bringing world-class music to the Limestone Coast, and Allendale East Area School students who led a significant fundraising effort.
Mayor Kylie Boston said the Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards were an exceptional occasion to celebrate the contributions that residents and organisations make to our local community.
“We have many individuals and groups who are committed to making a positive impact in the community so it is important they are celebrated for their efforts over the past year, and in most cases over many years of service,” she said.
“Our district would not be as strong and vibrant as it is without their efforts.”
Citizen of the Year – Liza Kirby
Liza is a Llfe member of the Mil Lel A&H Show Society and a major organiser of the annual Mil Lel Spring Show overseeing many aspects of the event including advertising, volunteer management, entertainment and finance.
With over 10 years’ experience assisting the local event, Liza has played a key role in growing the show to become a focal point within the community.
Liza has been described as having “positive engagement with local community members” and being a great listener and communicator within the district.
Her outstanding contribution to the Mil Lel Spring Show over many years makes her a deserving winner of the 2024 Grant District Council Citizen of the Year Award.
Young Citizen of the Year – Angus Millard
Last year’s South Australian Rural Youth Ambassador Angus Millard is a committed Allendale East Area School student willing to participant in a range of school events and sets a positive example for his peers.
Angus constantly works in collaboration with others to advocate for better educational support programs and networks as well as mental health support for youth in rural and remote location within South Australia.
Angus’ willingness and enthusiasm to be a proactive member of the local community will be a tremendous asset for him and the district going into the future and is why Angus is worthy recipient of the 2024 Grant District Council Young Citizen of the Year Award.
Community Event of the Year – Generations in Jazz
Established in 1987, Generations in Jazz is a unique annual event held within the Limestone Coast showcasing a world-class high-energy jazz music experience, and talented professional and aspiring musicians.
In May 2023 Generations in Jazz made its long-awaited return to its regular format prior to the pandemic with the assistance of more than 180 volunteers.
The event’s return saw international jazz/fusion sensations Dirty Loops attend for their only Australian performance along with approximately 4500 students from across Australia.
Generations in Jazz additionally provides opportunity for local community groups to participate and gain financial benefit from the event by housing school groups making Generations in Jazz 2023 a deserving awardee for the 2024 Grant District Council Community Event of the Year.
The Active Citizenship Award – Zack Williams and Mark Smith for the ‘Bellum to Bay’ event
Local residents Zack Williams and Mark Smith were instrumental in organising the 2023 ‘Bellum to Bay’ running event, from the Bellum Hotel to Port MacDonnell Golf Club, aimed to raise mental health awareness and funding for mental health organisations.
The pair participated by running in the event and with assistance from other community members, raised a total of $11,853 which was donated to Headspace, Standby Support and the Suicide Prevention Network.
Zack and Mark’s determination to unite through hardship after the tragic loss of friends and fellow community members, and demonstration of great leadership skills makes the pair the appropriate winners of the 2024 Grant District Council Active Citizenship Award.
All winners will be awarded at an invitation only ceremony on January 26 along with nominees who will be presented a certificate.
Representatives from various Grant District Council community groups will also be in attendance to congratulate the winners and nominees.
Official proceedings from the event will be live-streamed via the council’s Facebook page with closed captions.
Wattle Range celebrations
Wattle Range residents will gather to celebrate Australia Day next Friday at a series of complimentary breakfast events hosted across the region.
Prepared and served to the community by volunteers from local Lions clubs in the townships of Millicent, Penola, Beachport and Kalangadoo, the annual breakfast kicks off from 8am.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnic rug or chair to sit on.
Official proceedings begin at 9am with the national anthem, raising of the flag and awards presentations.
An official citizenship ceremony will also feature in the program at the Penola event and Mayor Des Noll will be in attendance to officiate.
The new Aussies will be taking the pledge in the 75-anniversary year of Australian Citizenship.
Award recipients to be recognised at this year’s events will be:
Millicent (Corcoran Ward) – Chris Hollingsworth (Citizen of the Year), IMAG’s Millicent Met Gala (Community Event of the Year), Jay Watson (Active Citizen of the Year) and Brogan Wright (Youth Recognition – Contributions to the Community)
Penola (Riddoch Ward) – Doug Balnaves (Citizen of the Year), Rochelle Crawford (Young Citizen of the Year and Youth Recognition Award – Learning Success), Judy Goodes-Mountford (Active Citizen of the Year), Cory O’Connor (Youth Recognition – Environment & Sustainability), and Toby Zerk (Youth Recognition – Inspiration by Innovation)
Beachport (Kintore Ward) – Linda Carter-Shepherd (Citizen of the Year), Rivoli Bay Jetties Junior Fishing Competition (Community Event of the Year) and Kate Nowak (Active Citizen of the Year)
As no categories were awarded in the Sorby Adams Ward, presentations will not be made at the Kalangadoo breakfast event.
Attendees at the Penola celebration will also be treated to an address by Australia Day Ambassador Dr Robert ‘Bob’ Irving.
A veterinary surgeon, Bob was honored in 2019 as the SA Senior Australian of the Year Nominee for his work in remote Aboriginal communities treating sick animals.
“We very much look forward to welcoming Dr Irving to Penola on Friday,” Mayor Noll said.
“We are interested to hear his story and are excited to share with him what our region has to offer.
“We congratulate this year’s award winners and acknowledge the efforts of our service clubs, and community volunteers who continue to make Wattle Range a great place to live.
“We would like to wish the residents of Wattle Range a safe and happy Australia Day.”
Wattle Range residents will gather to celebrate Australia Day next Friday at a series of complimentary breakfast events hosted across the region.
Prepared and served to the community by volunteers from local Lions clubs in the townships of Millicent, Penola, Beachport and Kalangadoo, the annual breakfast kicks off from 8am.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnic rug or chair to sit on.
Official proceedings begin at 9am with the national anthem, raising of the flag and awards presentations.
An official citizenship ceremony will also feature in the program at the Penola event and Mayor Des Noll will be in attendance to officiate.
The new Aussies will be taking the pledge in the 75-anniversary year of Australian Citizenship.
Award recipients to be recognised at this year’s events will be:
Millicent (Corcoran Ward) – Chris Hollingsworth (Citizen of the Year), IMAG’s Millicent Met Gala (Community Event of the Year), Jay Watson (Active Citizen of the Year) and Brogan Wright (Youth Recognition – Contributions to the Community)
Penola (Riddoch Ward) – Doug Balnaves (Citizen of the Year), Rochelle Crawford (Young Citizen of the Year and Youth Recognition Award – Learning Success), Judy Goodes-Mountford (Active Citizen of the Year), Cory O’Connor (Youth Recognition – Environment & Sustainability), and Toby Zerk (Youth Recognition – Inspiration by Innovation)
Beachport (Kintore Ward) – Linda Carter-Shepherd (Citizen of the Year), Rivoli Bay Jetties Junior Fishing Competition (Community Event of the Year) and Kate Nowak (Active Citizen of the Year)
As no categories were awarded in the Sorby Adams Ward, presentations will not be made at the Kalangadoo breakfast event.
Attendees at the Penola celebration will also be treated to an address by Australia Day Ambassador Dr Robert ‘Bob’ Irving.
A veterinary surgeon, Bob was honored in 2019 as the SA Senior Australian of the Year Nominee for his work in remote Aboriginal communities treating sick animals.
“We very much look forward to welcoming Dr Irving to Penola on Friday,” Mayor Noll said.
“We are interested to hear his story and are excited to share with him what our region has to offer.
“We congratulate this year’s award winners and acknowledge the efforts of our service clubs, and community volunteers who continue to make Wattle Range a great place to live.
“We would like to wish the residents of Wattle Range a safe and happy Australia Day.”
