2020 Australia Day Awards and Celebrations

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on Monday 16 December 2019, Elected Members determined the winners of the 2020 Australia Day Awards. Council received many worthy nominees who have made outstanding contributions to our community.

The award recipients have now been notified of their success. “I had the delightful duty to ring our Australia Day Award winners who were extremely pleased that their achievements had been recognised this year by Council. I am looking forward to meeting them all at our Australia Day breakfast, to hear more about their inspirational commitment to our community”, said Chief Executive Officer Mr James Miller. Council determined the following Australia Day Award recipients:

• Citizen of the Year – Mrs Rae Corston.
  Mrs Corston has been an invaluable volunteer in the Two Wells community for over 40 years, including six years at the local Primary School. She was also a founding member of the Two Wells Softball Club, Hockey Club and the District Family History Group.
• Community Event of the Year – Pinery Fire Memorial Grand Opening.
  Victims and communities impacted by the devastating Pinery Fires have worked together to develop a commemorative memorial in recognition of the 4 year anniversary of these ‘Fires’. On Sunday 24 November 2019 the Grace Plains community coordinated a community event, which over 400 people attended, to recognise and remember the impact and lost lives.

In addition to the Australia Day Award categories above, Adelaide Plains Council has two further Awards, awarded to the following recipients:

• Community Group of the Year – Two Wells Melodrama Group.
  Founded in 1982, the annual amateur theatrical productions have raised more than $700,000. These funds have been allocated to support Two Wells and surrounding community groups.
• Community Project of the Year – Pinery Fire Memorial and History of Grace Plains.
  This challenging multi-faceted project took enormous input from the local community, volunteers, Lions Club of Mallala, Council and local businesses. The project included a permanent memorial to remember the impact of the Pinery Fires and a historic reference point for the Moquet Lee Reserve. Additionally pictorial displays depicting sporting achievements, as well as the Grace Plains Historic Church and Primary School, are a reminder of Grace Plain’s rich history.

Recipients will be presented with their certificates at Council’s official Australia Day Ceremony. This event, celebrated annually, will be held at the Mallala Oval on Sunday 26 January 2020. Breakfast, catered by Council and the Mallala Lions Club, will be served from 8.00am with formalities commencing at 9.00am. Former Port Adelaide football legend Mr John Cahill will be our special guest Australia Day Ambassador. Please bring a chair so you can enjoy the festivities under the shade of the gumtrees.

For more information in relation to Council’s Australia Day Awards and Celebrations, please contact Council on (08) 8527 0200 or info@apc.sa.gov.au.

Mark Wasley

Mayor

20 December 2019