Wattle Range 2024 award winners

Wattle Range Council is set to acknowledge the contribution of a number of outstanding citizens this Australia Day, with a series of celebrations being held in communities across the council region.

Complimentary Australia Day breakfasts will again be held in each of the council wards on Friday, January 26. Local Lions Clubs will be catering from 8am at Beachport’s Centennial Park, the Kalangadoo Institute Hall, Jubilee Park, in Millicent and Penola’s War Memorial Park.

Awards will be presented from 9am and Mayor Des Noll, who will be attending this year’s Penola event where he will also be officiating a citizenship ceremony, was pleased to announce that this year’s recipients will be:

Corcoran Ward (Presented in Millicent)

• Citizen of the Year – Chris Hollingsworth
• Community Event of the Year – IMAG’s Millicent Met Gala
• Active Citizen of the Year – Jay Watson
• Youth Recognition Award (Contributions to the Community) – Brogan Wright

Kintore Ward (Presented in Beachport)

• Citizen of the Year – Linda Carter-Shepherd
• Community Event of the Year – Rivoli Bay Jetties Junior Fishing Competition
• Active Citizen of the Year – Kate Nowak

Riddoch Ward (Presented in Penola)

• Citizen of the Year – Doug Balnaves
• Young Citizen of the Year – Rochelle Crawford
• Active Citizen of the Year – Judy Goodes-Mountford
• Youth Recognition Award (Environment & Sustainability) – Cory O’Connor
• Youth Recognition Award (Inspiration by Innovation) – Toby Zerk
• Youth Recognition Award (Learning Success) – Rochelle Crawford

Sorby Adams Ward (Presented in Kalangadoo) – No categories were awarded.

“These awards provide an opportunity for us to show gratitude for those who volunteer their time and energy across a broad range of activities in our communities” Mayor Noll said.

“We invite everyone to come out, bring along a picnic rug or chair, and celebrate the achievements of these special Australians on our National Day.”

Australia Day Ambassador Dr. Robert ‘Bob’ Irving will be part of the Penola event.

Dr. Bob is a veterinary surgeon who spends six months every year travelling to remote communities in Australia to treat sick animals, mostly dogs.

The awards at the Beachport, Kalangadoo and Millicent ceremonies will be presented by their individual elected members.

Later that day, further festivities will be hosted in the community of Tantanoola, at an event featuring games and a BYO barbecue lunch at 12.30pm in the Railway parklands.

More information about each of the events can be found on the council website www.wattlerange.sa.gov.au