City of Mount Gambier Citizen of the Year – Tracey Wanganeen<\/strong><\/p>\nCitizen of the Year Tracey Wanganeen (pictured above) is a familiar face in the Limestone Coast for her tireless advocacy in mental health, suicide prevention and community wellbeing.<\/p>\n
Her story is one of courage and reinvention.<\/p>\n
After 21 years as a legal secretary, Tracey made a bold decision in her early forties to change direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cI enjoyed my job, but thought if I don\u2019t leave now, I\u2019ll be here forever. I wanted to do something that made a real difference,\u201d Tracey said.<\/p>\n
At 42, she enrolled in a social work degree while working full-time in domestic violence services.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt took me seven years to finish because I worked full time all the way through. My goal was to graduate before I turned 50, and I did,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Her placements opened new doors, including a project manager for a domestic violence awareness conference and palliative care work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never imagined grief would become a passion. But I saw the power of listening and being present for people in their hardest moments,\u201d Tracey said.<\/p>\n
That insight led her to StandBy Support After Suicide, where she spent nine years as regional coordinator across southern South Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cHelping people feel less alone in their grief and breaking down stigma, that\u2019s work that matters,\u201d Tracey said.<\/p>\n
Tracey travelled widely, built networks and trained communities to respond with compassion.<\/p>\n
She recalls sitting with families in their homes after a loss, creating space for conversations others found too hard.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe encouraged people to keep talking about their loved one. They didn\u2019t disappear because they died, they\u2019re still part of your life,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Her leadership extended statewide as a member of the inaugural Premier\u2019s Suicide Prevention Council, contributing to South Australia\u2019s first Suicide Prevention Act.<\/p>\n
She also championed Are You OK? Day as the Limestone Coast\u2019s only ambassador, helping bring the national convoy to Mount Gambier, and volunteered with Ski for Life for eight years, travelling along the Murray River to raise awareness and provide support.<\/p>\n
\u201cI used to say I had the best job in the world, who gets to ski along the river and help people at the same time?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Tracey also supported touring theatre productions addressing suicide, debriefing cast and audiences after performances, and worked with multiple suicide prevention networks to keep conversations alive in regional communities.<\/p>\n
In 2023, Tracey was honoured to be nominated for the Rural and Remote Impact category of the South Australian Association of Social Workers AASW Awards.<\/p>\n
She went on to win the category, an achievement she describes as one of her proudest moments.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t just about winning. The fact that my manager at the time nominated me meant so much. As someone who came to social work later in life, it was a truly humbling experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today, Tracey manages FocusOne Health\u2019s Mount Gambier Medicare Mental Health Service, a free, walk-in no appointment required service ensuring immediate access to care.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf someone walks in today, we\u2019ll find a way to support them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her team includes mental health peer workers with lived experience, who often provide exactly what people need: a safe space to talk and practical ideas for self-care.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes all people need is a kind person to sit and listen,\u201d Tracey said. \u201cWe don\u2019t rush to fix it. Being heard can be the help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her advice to help others is simple but powerful.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe kind. Listen to how it is for that person. Don\u2019t shut them down because you feel uncomfortable. Say, \u2018I don\u2019t know what to say, but I\u2019m here to listen.\u2019 Help-seeking is a strength, not a weakness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tracey\u2019s family reflects her values of service and inclusion.<\/p>\n
Her husband Steven is an Aboriginal education worker, her son Marcus supports disengaged students at the Independent Learning Centre and is well known locally as a DJ, and her daughter Kimberley runs a cultural consultancy in Adelaide.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud of my family and the work they do. We\u2019ve all faced challenges, but we\u2019ve always believed in making a difference,\u201d Tracey said.<\/p>\n
Her impact is felt in everyday moments – a parent who drops in and finds a neutral space to talk, a friend who learns how to listen without trying to fix everything, or a community event where people feel welcome and safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen someone says, \u2018Thank you, that helped,\u2019 I know I\u2019m exactly where I need to be,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Senior Citizen of the Year – Phillip McInnes<\/strong><\/p>\nPhillip McInnes (pictured below) is an 85-year-old community stalwart whose lifetime of service reflects unwavering dedication and selflessness.<\/p>\n
Born in Mount Gambier on December 9, 1939, Phillip attended Mount Gambier Primary School and later Mount Gambier High School before beginning his career as an apprentice electrician at R.W. Scott in 1956.After completing National Service and a year driving trucks for J & J Ward, a twist of fate led him to the Electricity Trust of South Australia (ETSA).<\/p>\n
\u201cOne morning, while driving a fully loaded semi-trailer to Portland, the brakes suddenly failed,\u201d Phillip said. \u201cSixteen tonnes on board and no brakes. I thought, how am I going to get out of this?\u201d<\/p>\n
Thinking quickly, he released the problem and steered the truck safely down Bay Road to Mount Gambier Motors opposite Margaret Street and the Police Station.<\/p>\n
\u201cI drove in there with no brakes, fully loaded, and handed it over to them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
That unexpected breakdown gave him just enough time to make his job interview with ETSA, a role that became his career for the next 42 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cTalk about luck. If those brakes hadn\u2019t failed, I\u2019d have missed the appointment completely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phillip embraced every challenge, mastering industrial electronics, high voltage power generating and transmission systems and computer programming.<\/p>\n
His expertise took him across South Australia, commissioning substations, maintaining gas turbines, and even flying to Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln for urgent repairs on their power stations.<\/p>\n
His industry experience inspired him to advocate for training and development for young tradespeople.<\/p>\n
He was instrumental in forming the Group Training Scheme in Mount Gambier, supporting apprentices to thrive in the workplace.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was sick of seeing young people mistreated. So, we started something that\u2019s still going strong today,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Outside of work, Phillip poured his energy into volunteering. At Apollo Soccer Club, he assisted in transforming a bare block into a fully functioning sporting facility.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mowed stripes on the field like Wembley Stadium, the girls said, \u2018What\u2019s this?\u2019 I told them, \u2018That\u2019s class!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
He also volunteered at Attamurra Golf Club for many years, cutting fairways and greens for 15 years at dawn and in the rain installed all the electrical wiring and computer system for the automatic irrigation system.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a huge job and I\u2019ll never forget sitting in a trench wiring and fitting solenoid valves while ladies teed off above me, I just hoped they didn\u2019t miss-hit,\u201d he said. \u201cYes, one did and her ball landed in my box of seals alongside of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phillip has been part of the Lions Club of Gambier City for 48 years, serving as president, secretary, treasurer and public officer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe highlight was being zone and region chairman i.e. District Governor\u2019s right hand man. You get to know all the clubs in the district and help wherever you\u2019re needed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He proudly represented Mount Gambier at national and district conventions and contributed thousands of hours to Lions projects.<\/p>\n
His service earned him the James D Richardson Honour Award and Life Membership with Lions Club International.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe serve, that\u2019s our motto, you try to help wherever you can,\u201d Phillip said.<\/p>\n
He was also president of the Mount Gambier History Group from 2007 to 2023 and a life member. He is also a life member of the National Servicemen\u2019s Lower SE Branch Association.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was the secretary from 2001 to today even though the group have decided not to carry on owing to health problems of most of the members, but we still get together on the local remembrance days,\u201d Phillip said.<\/p>\n
Despite his busy schedule, Phillip still found time for hobbies, including baseball, basketball, golf, table tennis and fishing. He also pursued his passion for aviation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to fly all my life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He earned his pilot\u2019s licence after years of study and recalls the thrill of taking off in a Cessna.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe instructor said, \u2018If you want to really test it, fill the tanks.\u2019 So I did, and it flew like a dream, like driving a limousine in the sky.\u201d<\/p>\n
Health challenges eventually meant Phillip had to give up flying after heart bypass surgery.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t want to take any risks. Flying demands full concentration and perfect health, and I knew it was time to step back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although he can\u2019t fly anymore, Phillip still enjoys aviation through flight simulators and building model planes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not the same as being in the air, but it keeps the passion alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phillip\u2019s selflessness shines brightest in his personal life.<\/p>\n
He and his wife Maxine have been married for 62 years and have raised three children – Leanne, Simon and Brendan.<\/p>\n
Today, his nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren remain a big part of his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey know Pa will fix it. Whether it\u2019s a pump or a power point, I\u2019m there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even serious health challenges haven\u2019t slowed him down.<\/p>\n
Diagnosed with melanoma in 2014, Phillip underwent surgeries, radiation and immunotherapy, but continued volunteering with his trademark humour.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey put a mask on me for radiation, and I said, \u2018You didn\u2019t do it right the first time!\u2019 We all had a laugh. You just keep going, that\u2019s the way I\u2019ve always been.\u201d<\/p>\n
His reaction to winning the Senior Citizen of the Year award was pure disbelief.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t believe it, it was my birthday, too, it couldn\u2019t have happened on a better day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Young Citizen of the Year – Brydie Lewis<\/strong><\/p>\nTwenty-year-old Brydie Lewis (pictured above), a proud Kaurna woman whose passion for culture, health, and community has touched lives across the Limestone Coast.<\/p>\n
Brydie is dedicated to preserving and restoring traditional Aboriginal weaving practices, skills that are at risk of being lost.<\/p>\n
She has brought weaving back into classrooms, women\u2019s groups, and community events, creating spaces for connection and healing.<\/p>\n
Brydie started a small business Bea\u2019s Weaves in 2024 to create and sell artistic pieces that celebrate Aboriginal culture.<\/p>\n
She has also been invited to contribute to the 2026 Stardust Identity – First Nations Women Artists Exhibition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWeaving can be interpreted in many different ways. It goes back a long time, you could weave if you were upset, processing trauma, or celebrating something happy. Passing that down and keeping it going is the biggest part. It\u2019s good to bring it back,\u201d Brydie said.<\/p>\n
Her workshops have inspired students at Grant High School, where she led a collaborative piece for Multicultural Day, and she has worked with programs like South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA) to share cultural knowledge with younger generations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s amazing to see kids go home and tell their grandma how to weave because she\u2019ll love it,\u201d Brydie said. \u201cThat\u2019s what it\u2019s all about – connecting generations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brydie\u2019s creativity sparked an innovative health initiative at Pangula Mannamurna, where she worked on smoking cessation programs.<\/p>\n
Her idea, \u2018Busy Hands, Clean Lungs\u2019, combined weaving with health education, offering a relaxed, culturally safe environment for conversations about quitting smoking.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted something that wasn\u2019t just \u2018you have to learn this today\u2019. Weaving gave people a chance to relax, create, and yarn it out.\u201d<\/p>\n
She has also contributed to cancer support programs and countless community events, including NAIDOC Week, where she helped create a mixed-media collaborative artwork unveiled to celebrate culture and unity.<\/p>\n
Brydie earned the Trainer of the Year title at NAIDOC Week in 2022, a highlight she still treasures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was awesome. I loved getting that one, it was a big one for me, my favourite.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brydie\u2019s leadership journey began at just 13 when she joined the Australian Air Force Cadets, a program she credits for building her confidence and skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t speak to anybody when I was younger, I was just in my shell. Cadets definitely helped develop skills to work with others, take on leadership roles, and organise events. It gave me the foundation for everything I do now.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2021, she was awarded the Flight Lieutenant Squadron Contribution award for her work in the Air Force Cadets.<\/p>\n
Despite her achievements, Brydie remains humble and passionate about encouraging other young people to find their voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou feel a lot of pressure after school to have it all figured out, but you have so much time. Try new things, put yourself out there, and be yourself. Push yourself to try things, be yourself,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Brydie plans to begin nursing studies next year through TAFE, inspired by her mum\u2019s career and her own desire to make a difference.<\/p>\n
When Brydie received the call about her award, she admits she was stunned.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just shocked. It\u2019s been a while since I actually got recognised for something, so it\u2019s really nice.\u201d<\/p>\n
She credits her community for helping her achieve so much at a young age.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t have done any of this without the support of the community. Every workshop, every event, every idea has been shaped by the people around me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Community Event of the Year – Festival on the Green<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Community Event of the Year award will be awarded to Festival on the Green, a vibrant celebration of culture, connection and inclusion that drew more than 500 people to Cave Garden\/Thugi on Saturday, March 25, last year.<\/p>\n
Festival on the Green (represented by committee members Emily Stankovic (Skylight Mental Health) & Sue Watt (ac.care)) was born from a simple idea – a community breakfast – but quickly evolved into something bigger and more inclusive.<\/p>\n
With support from mental health services provider Skylight Mental Health, ac.care, the Migrant Resource Centre and local volunteers, the event transformed into a multicultural showcase.<\/p>\n
It included six food trucks, cultural performances and free activities such as henna art and bracelet-making.<\/p>\n
Every attendee received a free meal ticket and a gift bag, ensuring no cost barriers for families.<\/p>\n
Skylight Mental Health Community Development Officer Emily Stankovic said the team wanted to create an event that truly reflected the diversity of the Limestone Coast.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe asked ourselves, how can we make this bigger and better? How do we create something that feels welcoming for everyone? The answer was a festival that celebrates culture, food and connection,\u201d Emily said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing families relax on picnic rugs, enjoying performances and sharing meals was incredible. The feedback we received was that people felt included, and that\u2019s exactly what we hoped for.\u201d<\/p>\n
ac.care\u2019s Sue Watt highlighted the deeper impact of the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t just a fun day out,\u201d Sue said. \u201cFor many people, especially those from migrant backgrounds, this was a chance to feel part of the community. Some told us they wouldn\u2019t have been able to attend without the free food and activities. That really reinforced why these events matter. Inclusion isn\u2019t just a word – it\u2019s about creating spaces where everyone belongs.<\/p>\n
The festival also sparked ongoing connections. Partnerships formed on the day led to initiatives like an adult migrant swimming program in Naracoorte, helping new residents feel more confident and connected.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the ripple effect of events like this, it opens doors and builds trust,\u201d Emily said.<\/p>\n
Delivered with $15,000 in flexible funding and countless volunteer hours, Festival on the Green showcased what collaboration can achieve. Organisers are hopeful similar events can continue, with interest already expressed by community members and service providers.<\/p>\n
Active Citizenship Award – Keith Seiler<\/strong><\/p>\nActive Citizenship Award winner Keith Seiler has spent more than a decade transforming opportunities for people with disabilities in the Limestone Coast region.<\/p>\n
His journey began in 2010 when, as a parent involved in soccer committees, he helped organise regional games for athletes with disabilities.<\/p>\n
Those early events included matches, evening meals, and even a torch run, creating a sense of celebration and belonging. When the program stalled, Keith refused to let it fade. In 2017, starting from scratch, he rebuilt the initiative with nothing but determination.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had zero, no uniforms, no equipment, nothing,\u201d Keith said. \u201cOur first fundraiser was selling cookie dough so we could buy soccer balls.\u201d<\/p>\n
From those humble beginnings, Keith created Limestone All Abilities Sport, which now has its own bus, uniforms, and equipment, making the group fully self-sufficient.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can set up a soccer pitch anywhere. Poles, tents, marquees, barbecues, we\u2019ve got it all,\u201d he said proudly.<\/p>\n
His efforts have grown the Limestone Cup into the only country competition for athletes with disabilities. What started with three or four teams, will expand to two divisions and up to ten teams from South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales in 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s never happened here, the opportunities are phenomenal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keith\u2019s commitment goes far beyond organising games. He secures sponsorships so players pay only a token amount for travel and accommodation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can cost $2,000 for a weekend in Adelaide,\u201d he said. \u201cI work hard to make sure cost isn\u2019t a barrier. I can\u2019t stop because it\u2019s so encouraging to see the guys shine in their own fashion.\u201d<\/p>\n
His creativity keeps training fresh, including boot camps with tires and ropes, skill-testing games and corporate events where businesses and emergency services join athletes on the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about inclusion, no one\u2019s excluded,\u201d Keith said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter where you come from or what background you\u2019ve got. Just get in and have a go.<\/p>\n
The impact is life-changing. Keith shares stories of athletes traveling interstate, one becoming an international competitor, and others improving their health and confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoctors have told parents their kids are fitter than ever. That\u2019s what this is about, giving them opportunities they\u2019d never have otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n
He described the camaraderie that develops as like a family.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year when our bus broke down after state games, the athletes looked after each other. They shine when it matters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keith\u2019s vision for the future is ambitious. He plans to formalise the group as a not-for-profit, expand outreach to schools across the region, and join a disability soccer league if sponsorship allows. He has already drafted platinum sponsorship packages offering naming rights and branding opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never accepted no,\u201d he said, recalling how he found creative solutions when faced with obstacles. \u201cAt one point we weren\u2019t allowed to put sponsors on uniforms, so I said fine, we\u2019ll put them on jackets. There\u2019s always a way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keith remains driven and says the reward is seeing others achieve their best.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing the guys on the field having fun. It doesn\u2019t matter what shape they\u2019re in, they want to play, and why shouldn\u2019t they?\u201d Keith said. \u201cWe focus on ability, not disability. Everyone deserves the chance to shine.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MOUNT Gambier will celebrate outstanding community contributions at the upcoming Australia Day event with the announcement of the City of Mount Gambier 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards. This year\u2019s award recipients are: Tracey Wanganeen – Citizen of the Year Brydie Lewis – Young Citizen of the Year Phillip McInnes – Senior Citizen of the […]<\/p>\n
Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":153,"featured_media":17456,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-17453","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCommunity heroes in the spotlight - Mt Gambier Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Celebrate the 2026 Mount Gambier Awards recipients! 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