The City of Mount Gambier honoured its 2024 Australia Day Citizen of the Year award winners at its January 26 breakfast.<\/p>\n
Around 600 people attended the Cave Garden event which started with community performers on the main stage, a Rotary-cooked breakfast and then the official presentations.<\/p>\n
City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM kickstarted the presentations, as well as handing out the awards.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur nation is truly one of freedom and opportunity,\u201d Mayor Martin said. \u201cWe all share a stake in the future. We all have responsibility to each other. We all have something to celebrate.<\/p>\n
\u201cI encourage you to celebrate what it is that makes our nation great \u2013 to work hard, to contribute to community, a sense of mateship, of belonging and of prosperity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a day of mixed feelings but I hope we can move forward as one. We can\u2019t change the past but we can change the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday we celebrate what it means to be Australian \u2013 those who volunteer their time to make Mount Gambier a better place.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo those who volunteer in our community \u2013 thank you. Your contribution whether large or small is what makes this nation great.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mayor also read a statement from Clare Scriven MLC, who was unable to attend the Mount Gambier event.<\/p>\n
\u201cCelebrate the Australian spirit and the values we share,\u201d Minister Scriven said. \u201cit\u2019s only through dedicated, community-minded people that volunteer and contribute in many and varied ways that our region can thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben Hood MLC also shared his thoughts on the day prior to the award presentation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralia Day is more than a date on the calendar. It brings us together to celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that make up our community. We hare in the joys and challenges that shape our nation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiving everyone a fair go, respecting democracy and laws, freedom of speech and religion \u2013 they are the foundation of our community and our country.<\/p>\n
\u201cFostering a Mount Gambier where everyone feels welcome, valued and part of the Australian family.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s embrace the spirit of mateship and continue to build a Mount Gambier we can all be proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prostate cancer advocate Richard Harry was named Citizen of the Year and said he was both humbled as well as honoured to be nominated for this award.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel I\u2019m only part of a team that makes this wonderful community a fantastic place to live,\u201d he said. \u201cBeing involved in any organisation also involves the understanding and cooperation of one\u2019 family.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also used the platform to encourage men to get tested and finished his time in the spotlight with the words of The Seekers\u2019 Bruce Woodley \u2013 \u2018We are one, but we are many; And from all the lands on earth we come; We\u2019ll share a dream and sing with one voice; I am, you are, we are Australian.\u201d<\/p>\n
Young Citizen of the Year Luke Thomson, who was awarded for his work in the mental health space, had just returned from Bali to receive his honour.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Winning this award was) definitely not something I set out to do \u2013 I just did everything, obviously, to help people,\u201d Luke said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re pretty lucky to live in the community that we do \u2013 we know when to rally, when times are tough, when people need help.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpeak up when times are tough, speak up when you\u2019re not feeling quite right. There is plenty of support, plenty of people that will help you.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working to break down the stigma of what men are supposed to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Normally Kevin Douglas would have been in the MC role \u2013 he regularly plays that role for a number of community events and groups \u2013 but on January 26 he was the one in the spotlight as Senior Citizen of the Year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best thing about this (award) is it has brought my family together,\u201d Kevin said. \u201cUnexpected, unnecessary and I am humbled.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe (winners) are simply representing the hundreds of volunteers in Mount Gambier.<\/p>\n
\u201cVolunteering is such a wonderful thing. Pays you back in spades for what you give. I would not give that up for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Active Citizenship Award went to philanthropist Julian Mattay.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy reaction was partly humbled, partly emotional and I did try to wriggle out of it,\u201d he said. \u201cI dedicate my award to the hundreds of volunteers around the city.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vicki Clark accepted the Community Event of the Year Award on behalf of the Mount Gambier Community Christmas Lunch.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether you\u2019ve volunteered at the Community Christmas Lunch for years or for just one year, it\u2019s important to know you do make a difference,\u201d Vicki said. \u201cWhen you volunteer you offer the most priceless resource you have \u2013 time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe gratitude and enjoyment of those who attend the lunch is reward enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY FRANK MONGER<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The City of Mount Gambier honoured its 2024 Australia Day Citizen of the Year award winners at its January 26 breakfast. Around 600 people attended the Cave Garden event which started with community performers on the main stage, a Rotary-cooked breakfast and then the official presentations. City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM kickstarted […]<\/p>\n