Coorong Celebrates 2026 Citizen of the Year Award Winners
The Coorong district is set to honour its outstanding citizens and community groups during the Citizen of the Year Award ceremonies being held over the 2026 Australia Day long weekend.
Coorong District Council’s acting Mayor Cr. Jonathan Pietzsch said this year’s awards shine a spotlight on the people and projects that make the district a better place to live.
“Our Citizen of the Year Awards honour the everyday champions who make the Coorong a vibrant and connected district. These remarkable individuals and groups generously share their time, energy and passion to strengthen our communities, and we’re proud to acknowledge their outstanding contributions,” Cr. Pietzsch said.
Coorong District Council congratulates Donald Green, Julie Barrie and Isobell Koolmatrie who have been honoured as Citizens of the Year for Tailem Bend, Coonalpyn and Meningie.
These worthy recipients will be celebrated for their remarkable contributions and commitment to making a positive difference within their communities in January 2026.
In the Community Project of the Year category, two exceptional initiatives have been recognised for their impact and vision.
Meningie Area School’s Enterprise Expo has been recognised as a creative and educational event that showcased student-led enterprises and fostered innovation. The Rural Women’s Circles project launched in Coonalpyn in 2025 has empowered 69 rural women by building strong support networks, and creating connections.
In the Community Event of the Year category, two much-loved events will be celebrated for bringing people together and strengthening local traditions.
The Coonalpyn Agricultural & Horticultural Society’s 80th Show attracted over 1,000 attendees and achieved a record-breaking 1,600 competition entries, offering entertainment, stalls, and a chance for families and friends to reconnect. Tintinara Lions Club’s Community Market, Wool Show & Auction has been recognised as a vibrant gathering that combined local produce, crafts, and rural heritage, while supporting local fundraising efforts.
The Citizen of the Year awards are proudly presented by the Australia Day Council of South Australia in partnership with Coorong District Council. In January 2026, three celebration events will be held across the Coorong:
- Saturday, 24 January 2026 – Meningie’s Citizen of the Year Morning Tea Celebration at the Meningie Lions Jubilee Park, 10am
(celebrating Isobell Koolmatrie, the Meningie Area School’s Enterprise Expo and welcoming the Coorong’s newest Australian citizens at a citizenship ceremony)
- Monday, 26 January 2026 – Tailem Bend’s Citizen of the Year Celebration & BBQ at the Tailem Bend Town Hall, 9am
(celebrating Donald Green)
- Monday, 26 January 2026 – Coonalpyn’s Citizen of the Year Celebration & BBQ at the Coonalpyn Football Clubrooms, 12 noon
(celebrating Julie Barrie, the Rural Women's Circles and the Coonalpyn Agricultural and Horticultural Society’s 80th Show) - The Tintinara Lions Club will celebrate their award at a later date in March 2026, with details to be promoted in the new year.
The community are encouraged to join in the festivities and celebrate their own outstanding citizens. Event details will be finalised over the coming weeks and promoted across the district.
- ENDS -
Contact:
Bridget Mather
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | COORONG DISTRICT COUNCIL
Phone: 1300 785 277 | E: bmather@coorong.sa.gov.au
A bit about the winners...
Citizen of the Year – Coonalpyn: Julie Barrie
Julie Barrie has dedicated her life to serving the Coorong community, volunteering with the SA Ambulance Service for an incredible 45 years and the Country Fire Service for over 18 years. Her expertise in health and emergency response extends to her role on the Coorong Health Service – Health Advisory Council Board, where she has influenced healthcare decisions for six years.
Beyond emergency services, Julie has contributed to local governance as a former Coorong District Councillor and currently chairs the Pangarinda Botanic Garden. She also volunteers on multiple community committees, including the Coonalpyn Swimming Pool, Community Hub, and Hall Committees, enriching local life and fostering social connection.
Julie’s tireless service, leadership, and compassion have safeguarded lives, strengthened community facilities, and inspired others to volunteer. Her remarkable contributions have earned her widespread respect and a lasting legacy within the Coorong district.
Pictured: Site visit with SA Governor to Pangarinda Botanic Garden, 15 August 2023 (Her Excellency & Julie Barrie)
Citizen of the Year – Meningie: Isobell Koolmatrie
Isobell Koolmatrie has made an incredible difference to the Meningie and Murray Bridge communities and the Ngarrindjeri Nation through her leadership and passion for cultural education. As former Chairperson of the Ngarrindjeri Lands and Progress Aboriginal Corporation, she helped strengthen local governance and celebrate cultural pride. Isobell mentors First Nations youth through Headspace, creating a safe space for guidance and resilience, and teaches cultural programs at Meningie Area School that encourage respect and reconciliation. A proud Ngarrindjeri woman, Isobell brings people together across generations and cultures, inspiring pride, unity, and wellbeing. Her dedication makes her a truly deserving Citizen of the Year.
Pictured: Supporting photo of Isobell Koolmatrie for 2026 Citizen of the Year Nomination Taken Sept 2025
Citizen of the Year – Tailem Bend: Donald (Don) Green
Don Green has spent his 83 years enriching Tailem Bend through service, humour, and unwavering community spirit. A founding member of the Tailem Bend History Group, Don has preserved the town’s heritage by documenting its railway history, creating a historical walking trail, and leading the “Monday Memories” group at the Tailem Bend Community Library. His current project (researching past Australia Day award recipients) reflects his passion for honouring local achievements.
Beyond history, Don has supported countless community events, including health and wellbeing initiatives, parades, and cabarets, often working quietly behind the scenes. He has delivered Meals on Wheels for over 20 years, assisted during floods, and volunteered for school committees and fundraising efforts. Known for his creativity and humour, Don founded the “Grog and Grub Club” and “Dodgy Don Tours,” fostering laughter and connection. Always ready to lend a hand or share a coffee, Don embodies the heart of Tailem Bend: building pride, resilience, and unity.
Pictured: Left to right - Cr. Brenton Qualmann receiving instructions from Don Green at Tailem Bend Christmas Pageant
Community Project of the Year: Meningie Area School’s Enterprise Expo
The Enterprise Expo showcases months of planning and preparation by students and teachers, to their fellow students, families and community. Held annually a few weeks before the Adelaide Show, the Expo invites the community to explore and purchase handmade products and food from student-run stalls, where students learn essential skills in packaging, pricing, marketing, and customer service. Each class presents their projects, and students lead a parade of animals they have trained, including goats, sheep, and steers. Visitors can also tour the school’s gardens, hen yard, and aquaculture shed. The Expo fosters pride, confidence, and practical skills, while strengthening connection and celebrating student achievements.
Community Project of the Year: Rural Women’s Circles at Coonalpyn
Launched in 2025, the Rural Women’s Circles program was designed to empower women in the Coonalpyn region by fostering resilience, connection, and shared learning. Delivered as a series of sessions throughout the year, the program attracted 69 participants from across the district, with an average of 25–30 women per session. Each gathering explored topics relevant to rural women’s lives, creating a safe, mindful space for conversation and support. Participants reported feeling seen, heard, and inspired after attending.
Community Event of the Year: Coonalpyn Agricultural & Horticultural Society’s 80th Show
The 80th Coonalpyn Show was a milestone celebration of tradition and community, attracting over 1,000 attendees and achieving a record-breaking 1,600 competition entries. Months of planning by dedicated volunteers ensured a day filled with entertainment, local food stalls, and activities that highlighted the talents of residents and visitors. Families of past executives and patrons from the very first show returned to celebrate, reinforcing the event’s deep roots in local history. With mental health and cancer awareness initiatives, school ‘Decathlon’ competitions, and widespread media coverage, the event delivered lasting benefits by strengthening community pride, connection, and wellbeing across generations.
Community Event of the Year: Tintinara Lions Club’s Community Market, Wool Show & Auction
This annual event brought together 700–800 people from Tintinara and surrounding regions for a day of connection, fun, and support during challenging times of drought. Months of planning by volunteers ensured a vibrant program featuring free children’s entertainment, a bustling market, an expanded Wool Show, and a well-attended auction. The event provided financial relief for families, showcased local farming efforts, and created a welcoming space for neighbours to reconnect and share conversations. With overwhelmingly positive feedback from stallholders, volunteers, and attendees, the event reflected a sustained commitment to community wellbeing, an ongoing effort that strengthens resilience far beyond a single day.