Community volunteers Kathy Fennell, Maurie Puiatti and Mary Anne Stuckey are the Wattle Range Council Australia Day Citizens of the Year for 2022.

The two women were recognised for their deep involvement in a range of organisations while Mr Puiatti has coached all four grades at the Mount Burr United Football Club and is its current president.

He has also been involved as a volunteer with the Learning Assistance Program at Millicent North Primary School.

Ms Fennell lives at Penola and is the Riddoch Ward awardee, while the Kintore Ward recipient is Ms Stuckey and she is a Southend resident and the Corcoran Ward winner is Mr Puiatti who is a Millicent resident.

Council has recognised only one Young Citizen of the Year in 2022 and it is Millicent Gymnastics Club head coach Fiona McDonald.

She returned to the area in 2021 after an absence of several years and took on the key role.

Other award recipients are Sorby Adams ward Active Citizen Carol Grbich and two community events – Millicent Geoventure in Corcoran Ward and the Penola Stand like Stone Fashion Market in Riddoch Ward.

All winners have been commended by Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll.

“The contribution and service these hardworking individuals have provided in our Wattle Range community has been acknowledged as recipients of the 2022 Australia Day Awards,” the Mayor said.

“As always, I am impressed with the calibre of this year’s nominations.

“Each of the 2022 award winners has made a valuable contribution to the Wattle Range community and are worthy of such recognition.”

The awards will be officially presented at Australia Day breakfast functions which start at 8am on Wednesday, January 26 at Millicent Jubilee Park, Penola War Memorial Park, Beachport Lagoon Reserve and the Riddoch Memorial Institute at Kalangadoo.

In addition, the community of Tantanoola will gather in the railway parklands near the heritage-listed railway station from 12.30pm for a celebratory lunch and in Southend, the annual Australia Day afternoon will be held at the western beach from 2pm.

As part of the yearly rotation, Mayor Noll will be attending the Millicent function to present the Corcoran awards and officiate at a citizenship ceremony.

The other awards will be presented by the respective ward councillors at their official breakfast functions.

“I urge everyone in the Wattle Range Council region to come along and join in with the Australia Day celebrations on January 26,” Mayor Noll said.