Hard working volunteers honoured

The City of Mount Gambier acknowledged its 2025 Australia Day Award recipients at a community event on January 26.Citizen of the Year – Trudi Shelton

Mount Gambier woman Trudi Shelton, founder of local charity Four Reasons Why, is a dedicated community advocate committed to supporting those in need. Her efforts include providing winter clothing, food, household essentials and hygiene items, as well as providing refurbished whitegoods for victims of domestic violence who are leaving emergency accommodation and starting over. Trudi also organises fuel vouchers and assistance with sports membership fees to make a meaningful difference to the lives of many.

Four Reasons Why provides support, assistance, and opportunities to local people in need. This includes the provision of good condition pre-loved items, brand new goods, winter clothing and footwear, drink bottles, sports equipment and memberships for local children, families and individuals experiencing hardship. All donations stay within the local community.

 

What Trudi said on the day:

“I feel so honoured and blessed to have been chosen and very proud to receive it.

“Doing what I do is such a privilege and fulfilling, to be able to make a difference and have an impact.

“It is possible because of a hard working board, volunteers and family who always contribute in the background, have all been on this journey that started eight and a half years ago.

“(My family has) loaded, unloaded, delivered folded and so much more.

“I could not have done any of this without you championing me along the way.

“This award is for us and how far we’ve come.”

Senior Citizen of the Year – Rodney Summers

Mount Gambier man Rodney Summers has made remarkable contributions to the local community throughout his life. Rodney is deeply committed to volunteering and generously gives his time and energy to support various community organisations and sit on local boards and committees.

Husband to Judy and father of five children: Michael, Kate, Naomi, Anthony and Amanda, Rodney juggled a busy home and work life as a well-known local postman delivering mail for Australia Post from 1965 until he retired in 2008.

Rodney joined the Mount Gambier Lakes Rotary Club in 2009 and provided leadership through various roles including President (2018/2019 and 2021/2022), Vice President and Secretary. Under his guidance, the club undertook many community projects, supported local initiatives, and helped those in need. Rodney can usually be found front and centre at Rotary events greeting people at the Australia Day breakfast, the Mount Gambier Fun Run, market days and the Mount Gambier Christmas Parade.

Rodney was one of the founding members of Sunset Community Kitchen in 2008 and has since dedicated time as a cook and currently on the committee as Treasurer.

Rodney joined the board of the Mount Gambier Community Bendigo Bank in 2009, serving as Vice Chairman and a member of the Sponsorship Committee.

Rodney is chairman of the Mount Gambier Tertiary Health Scholarship Committee which administers grants to support local students pursuing health-related careers away from home and a member of the Stand Like Stone Small Grants Committee.

The sports fan served as a tribunal member for the Western Border Football League and Mount Gambier and District Baseball League.

Rodney was involved with the West Gambier Football Club from 1974 to 2000 in various positions where he aimed to create opportunities for local athletes and promote physical activity and community spirit through sport.

What Rodney said on the day:

“I am truly honoured to be receiving the 2025 Senior Citizen of the Year Award for the City of Mount Gambier. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Your recognition of my efforts mean the world to me.

“We are very blessed in Mount Gambier with volunteers and I recommend it. It can be the best thing for you.

“I’ve never regretted volunteering and have met a lot of wonderful people and made many friends.

“I wish to thank my family who has given me love, support and motivation to be able to continue my voluntary work of the community of Mount Gambier.”

Young Citizen of the Year – Brad Hann

Brad Hann is a local podcaster passionate about promoting physical activity as a way to enhance mental health and overall wellbeing among young people. Recognised by his peers as a role model, Brad actively engages with local sports clubs, including soccer, basketball and hockey, inspiring people within the community.

Brad and his friend Thomas established a podcast ‘Yarns of Rubbish’ in July 2022 with a focus on local issues and events around Mount Gambier.

The benefits of sport and physical activity to combat mental health issues and promote wellbeing in young people is often a topic of discussion on the podcast.

The 22 year old recruited players for West Hockey Club, encouraging friends who had never played hockey before to participate in the division 3 team. As a division 1 player himself, Brad coached the under 16 boys in addition to the division 3 squad.

Brad received the West Hockey Club Person of the Year award for his contribution, dedication and efforts to grow and develop players along with his support of the club with bar and canteen duties.

The Yarns podcast brand has now evolved to include social sporting teams, with more than 30 new players involved in sport within the community, developing camaraderie, a sense of belonging and the courage to have a go at different sports.

Men’s social basketball team ‘Yarns’ was put together in the summer season of 2023/2024, played on Tuesday nights. Brad designed uniforms and sought sponsors for the team, which grew to two by the winter season – Yarns Pink and Yarns Blue.

The 22-year-old also volunteers at the local community radio station 5GTR FM as a program announcer once a week and voices commercials for sponsors to help keep the organisation running.

Community Event of the Year – Mount Gambier Family Truck Show

The Mount Gambier Family Truck Show began as the annual Toy Run, including a convoy of trucks that travel from Penola to Mount Gambier delivering toys to children and families in need. The initiative evolved into the Family Truck Show, which features a display of gleaming local and interstate trucks at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds. The event also provides free activities for children and entertainment for the whole family.

About 4500 people typically attend the annual event, with 93 trucks involved in the convoy from Penola to Mount Gambier.

Mount Gambier Family Truck Show Committee Member Alex Moreland said the truck drivers are up polishing their trucks at 3am – 4am in the morning to make sure they are ready to roll in to Mount Gambier for the families and children eagerly waiting to see them by the roadside.

The event is organised and run by a hard-working committee of volunteers, with the aim to provide a fun and memorable family outing that is accessible for everyone.

Committee Member Haydn McPherson said it was an affordable day out for families, so once they pay the gold coin donation to get in at the gate at the showgrounds, all the children’s activities were free.

Secretary Michelle Nicholls said there’s a jumping castle, inflatable bungee run, laser tag, giant sandpit with toys, a trike ride inside hay bales, colouring, face painting, scavenger hunt and of course Santa giving out lollies to children.

Mount Gambier Family Truck Show Committee Member Belinda Butler said they get great feedback from the parents saying that it is a great day out.

The event receives generous support from local community sponsors and the transport and forestry industry to ensure it gets bigger and better every year.

Since 2017, the Mount Gambier Family Truck Show has raised about $75,000 for local charities to assist less fortunate families during the festive season throughout the Limestone Coast.

What the committee said on the day:

“We are extremely honoured and appreciate this incredible award.

“Our mission is to create a fun and memorable experience for everyone and raise money for charities.

Active Citizenship Award – Mount Gambier Breast Cancer Awareness Group

The Mount Gambier Breast Cancer Awareness Group raise funds to support local people on their breast cancer journey. Since launching the initiative in 2012, the group has distributed 483 ‘Helping Handbags’ valued at $1000 each to assist with everyday expenses like groceries, fuel, and pharmacy needs. Additionally, the group established a lymphoedema service in Mount Gambier, providing early intervention and local treatment.

The group was originally formed in 2000 by Mount Gambier woman Leanne Kosch and Tantanoola’s Kay Holloway. The women planned a luncheon to raise funds for breast cancer awareness which later evolved into ‘The Pink Party’, a fundraising event held annually since 2013.

The helping handbag initiative began after local woman Maria Knightly joined the group in 2010.

Breast Cancer Awareness Group Committee Member Jill Gilmore said they often receive written feedback or cards from patients thanking them for the vouchers they receive.

The group of 13 women host a highly successful annual fundraiser The Pink Party at the Mount Gambier Racecourse each year – a night to celebrate life in a supportive atmosphere. The event raised a record $27,000 in 2024.

The group’s ongoing fundraising efforts resulted in a healthy bank balance, so in 2019 the ladies decided to spend more than $70,000 to establish a local lymphoedema service.

What the group said on the day:

“We thank the Mount Gambier community for its unwavering support and encouragement.

“It is not just recognition of our group’s efforts, it is the strength and generosity of this community.

“The group was established to raise awareness about breast cancer and provide support to those affected by this insidious disease.

“To those currently battling breast cancer and survivors – you are our inspiration. Your courage and resilience remind us why we do what we do. Together we will continue to make a difference.