2021 Australia Day Awards and Ceremony

Published 14th January 2021

Australia Day Awards

Each year, communities across South Australia celebrate the achievements and contributions of outstanding members of their communities, through the Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards.

Council received many worthy nominations for citizens who have made outstanding contributions to the Adelaide Plains community. At the Ordinary Council Meeting on Monday 14 December 2020, Elected Members considered all nominations and determined the 2021 Australia Day Award recipients as follows:

Australia Day Citizen of the Year – Pat Thompson. Pat has served the Dublin community tirelessly for over 25 years on many projects including the replacement of the Schlodder Shelter. Pat was a founding member of the Dublin History Group in 1997, editor of the Dublin Dispatch for many years and has published three local history books.
Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year – Jack Harris. Jack has been a volunteer at the Two Wells Country Fire Service since 2013. Jack has attended over 200 emergencies as a firefighter including major bush fires in the 2019-2020 season. He is a shining example of a young person willing to help out his local community.
Australia Day Community Event of the Year – Two Wells Community Garden Official Opening. Over 200 people attended the official opening on 18 October 2020 to celebrate the transformation of the garden area located behind the Two Wells Craft Shop. This garden area is now a relaxing haven for locals and visitors to enjoy.

In addition to the above Australia Day Award categories, Adelaide Plains Council has two further award categories. Elected Members determined these award recipients as follows:

Community Group of the Year – Adelaide Plains Equestrian Club. A committee of hard working volunteers had the vision to convert an un-utilised space into an impressive equestrian facility over the last 18 months. This equestrian facility holds monthly events for various levels of riders and certainly has the potential to be a tourism attraction.
Community Project of the Year – Mallala and Districts Lions Club – Mallala Campground. Mallala and Districts Lions Club members have volunteered many hundreds of hours to establish a camping ground at the Mallala Oval. Elected Members also allocated Drought Communities Programme funding to this project. Undoubtedly, this camping ground will bring tourists to Mallala, which, in turn, will benefit local businesses.

Award recipients will be presented with certificates at Council’s Australia Day Ceremony (details below).

Australia Day Ceremony

Council’s official Australia Day Ceremony will be held on Tuesday 26 January 2021 at the Dublin Oval on South Terrace, Dublin. Breakfast, catered by the Dublin Cricket Club, will be served from 8.00am and the Ceremony will commence at 9.00am. The Ceremony, and breakfast, will be held in accordance with SA Health COVID-19 Guidelines.

Mayor Wasley will host the Ceremony, with Council’s Australia Day Ambassador, Mr William (Bill) Denny AM BN appearing as the special guest speaker. Bill served in the Australian Regular Army for 21 years and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

In addition to presenting the Australia Day Awards to recipients, three Adelaide Plains Council residents will be conferred as Australian citizens and recently retired Windsor Depot Library volunteer Mrs Barbara Kennedy will be recognised for her commitment for the past 25 years. After the formalities, a friendly rival CFS cricket match will be played.

Please BYO chair to enjoy the day in comfort. 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

13 January 2021