Community champions

Grant District Council hands out Australia Day awards

The District Council of Grant is pleased to announce 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.

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,” Mayor Boston 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 this Thursday. Nominees will also be invited to attend the event and be presented a certificate.

Official proceedings from the event will be livestreamed via the District Council of Grant Facebook page and a video of the presentations will be uploaded to the Council website with closed captions.

AWARD WINNERS CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Sheryl Teigesser 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 has a team player and dedicated to the projects she is involved with making her a deserving winner or the 2023 District Council of Grant Citizen of the Year Award.

YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

As a newer resident to the District Council of Grant, Elivia Stanley has wasted no time in becoming an enthusiastic member of the local community. Elivia is an athlete at the Port MacDonnell Netball Club and 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 worthy recipient of the 2023 District Council of Grant Young Citizen of the Year Award.

COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR

Community Event of the Year will be presented to the Yahl Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee (pictured above)for their Yahl Community Christmas Celebration.

Due to ongoing COVID-19

restrictions and uncertainties, there were limited community events held during 2021. The Yahl Soldiers Memorial Hall committee were one local group able to host a successful event being their community Christmas party.

A total of 70 Yahl community members came together to enjoy a day full of classic backyard games, a barbeque 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 Christmas Celebration allow residents to prosper and connect making Yahl Soldiers Memorial Hall committee a deserving awardee for the 2023 District Council of Grant Community Event of the Year.

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP AWARD

The Active Citizenship Award will be presented to Allendale East Area School students for their Biggest Morning Tea

With many school events postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19, Allendale East Area School students were 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 schools 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 students an appropriate winner of the 2023 District Council of Grant Active Citizenship Award.