Citizen of the Year Awards
Do you know someone who makes your community a better place?
The Coorong District Council proudly presents the Australia Day Citizen of the Year awards in partnership with the Australia Day Council of SA.
The Awards acknowledge the unsung heroes of our community who through their contributions make our state a better place. These individuals and organisations offer outstanding service each day and enable our communities to be stronger as a result of their tireless efforts.
Outstanding contribution and community service includes areas such as education, health, fundraising, charitable and voluntary services, business, sport, arts, the environment, or any other area that contributes to the advancement and well being of a community.
Nominate someone who makes a real difference in your community and give them the opportunity to be celebrated and recognised for their important contribution.
Nomination categories include:
- Citizen of the Year Award
- Young Citizen of the Year Award
- Community Event of the Year Award
- Community Project of the Year Award
Selection Criteria
In choosing the recipients of the Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards, regard is given to the nominee’s achievements in the year immediately prior to receiving the award, as well as their past achievements and ongoing contribution to the community.
A nominee need only be nominated once to be considered. The number of nominations received per nominee bears no weight in their selection.
The selection criteria for Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year are:
- Significant contribution to the community
- An inspirational role model for the Australian community
- The scope of impact the individual’s contribution has on the local government area
Nominations can be made year-round, however Council generally invites nominations from early September, and the nomination period closes late October.
2025 Nominations - Key Dates
Nominations Open: Nominations for the 2025 Citizen of the Year awards will open in September 2024.
Nominations Close: Nominations for the 2025 Citizen of the Year awards will close in October 2024.
Exact nomination dates for the 2025 Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards program are still to be finalised.
2024 Recipients
Citizen of the Year:
Jabuk - Heather Wait
A much-admired member of the Jabuk, Peake, Coomandook and surrounding communities, Heather has been actively involved in her community for over 40 years. After moving to the Mallee as a teenager, Heather quickly established herself as a friendly, helpful, enthusiastic, and productive community member. Through her volunteering efforts, Heather has contributed over 20 years of commitment to the Jabuk Community Hall Association Inc. and over 20 years to the Peake and District Netball Club as a role model, coach and mentor to many generations of young women throughout the district. Heather is recognised as a cherished member of her community who continues to advocate for the community’s needs to ensure services and facilities are maintained.
Tailem Bend - Sandy Przibilla
As a previous recipient of the 2011 Citizen of the Year award, Sandy has a long history of volunteer work within the Tailem Bend community and many of the local community and service groups. Sandy’s 2024 Citizen of the Year award recognises her significant contribution to the Tailem Bend RSL for the recently completed mural in the RSL’s Memorial Room. The “room size” and accurate depictions of a warship and submarine were meticulously hand-painted, taking three months to complete. Sandy’s award recognises her significant contribution to this project.
Meningie - Malcolm Day
Malcolm has dedicated many years to his community during his working years in the Coomandook area, and in retirement within the Meningie community. Men’s mental health is important to Malcolm and is demonstrated through his efforts to bring the male members of the town together to take part in the Coorong Mechanical and Restoration Club, Meningie Men’s Club and monthly men’s luncheons. Malcolm also volunteers his time gardening throughout Meningie and can often be spotted tending to the Meningie Lions Jubilee Park’s rose garden, mowing road verges or the grounds of one of the many community and sporting clubs. Malcolm’s award recognises his continuous contributions to the community.
Community Project of the Year:
Coorong Conversations Matter - Sunflower Project
Coorong Conversations Matter is a voluntary community group working to improve mental health and wellbeing, reduce the stigma associated with suicide and to increase community knowledge about where to access help its needed.
Sunflowers bring smiles to people's faces, follow the sunshhine and have greta health benefits which are just a few of the reasons Coorong Conversations Matter begun the Sunflower Project 4 years ago.
The Sunflower Project encourages members of the community to plant their sunflower seeds in October, which is Mental Health Month, so that their sunflowers will bloom over the Summer holiday period. Each year the Sunflower project brings members of the community together, encourages people to connect, prevent and respond to suicide.
Mayor's Award:
This year the Mayor has recognised the Tailem Bend Rotary Club’s contribution to the community for delivering 40 years of the Tailem Bend Music Hall. Having entertained residents and visitors to Tailem Bend for the past 40 years, Tailem Bend Music Hall has provided an opportunity for many in the community (young and old) to take part in the show, learn about theatre and develop their skills. Following Tailem Bend Music Hall’s final performance being held in August 2023, the Mayor’s Commendation recognises and acknowledges the dedication, planning and efforts required each year by the Tailem Bend Rotary Club volunteers to bring the show to life.
2024 Citizen of the Year Events
Australia Day honours took place across the 2024 Australia Day long weekend with the Coorong district’s standout citizens and community groups being celebrated at Jabuk, Tailem Bend and Meningie.
2024 Award Categories and Nomination Forms
This is presented to someone making an extraordinary contribution within our community and and inspire us through their achievements. This nomination may recognise outstanding service over a number of years.
They may be a teacher, a friend or a neighbour who has somehow made a difference to the lives of those people who live, work, play or study in our community.
To be eligible, the person nominated must be an Australian Citizen.
This is presented to a young emerging leader who is making a difference in our community.
To be eligible, the person must be an Australian Citizen aged over 16 years and under 30 years of age on January 26, 2023.
This is presented to an individual person or group for staging the district’s most outstanding community event of the year.
This event will have had a positive impact on members of our community and as a result, will have made our district a better place to live, work, play, study and/or visit.
To be eligible, the person or group must be Australian Citizens.
This is presented to a person or group responsible for the district’s most outstanding community project(s) of the year.
This project(s) will have had a positive impact on members of our community and/or environment and as a result will have made our district a better place to live, work, play, study and/or visit.
To be eligible, the person or group must be Australian Citizens.
Recognises a community member, project or event that has made a significant contribution to their community over an extended period of time & shows potential for the future.
Nominations are not accepted for this Award or Commendation. The Mayor grants this award at their discretion & may not be awarded every year.
Previous Citizen of the Year Award Recipients
Citizen of the Year:
- Meningie - Robbie Lawson
- Tailem Bend - Brian Lloyd
- Tintinara - Lisa Fatchen
- Sherlock - Roger Poole
Mayor's Award:
- Peake & District, Meningie, and the Border Downs Tintinara Football and Netball Clubs
Citizen of the Year:
- Meningie - Daphne Hastings
- Tailem Bend - Michael Holliday
Young Citizen of the Year:
- Coonalpyn - Lachlan (Lachie) Jacobs
Community Event of the Year:
- Meningie Parkrun
- The Life and Times of Tailem Bend Exhibition and History Room Opening
Community Project of the Year:
- Tailem Topics
- Meningie Area School Year 4/5 Letter Writing Project
- Tintinara Oval and Recreation Association (TORA) Redevelopment
Mayor's Award:
- Meningie Skate Park Committee
Citizen of the Year:
- Tintinara - Keith Harkness
- Sherlock - Kevin Poole
- Meningie - Peter Doolette
- Tailem Bend - Angela Tomkinson
Community Event of the Year:
- Tintinara Corona Cup Trivia Night
Community Project of the Year:
- Tintinara Cinema
Citizen of the Year:
- Meningie - Garry Hera-Singh
- Tailem Bend - Maxine Kiddie
- Tintinara - Naomi Stidiford
Community Event of the Year:
- Tailem Bend Christmas Parade and Cabaret
Citizen of the Year:
- Meningie - Ian Qualmann
- Tailem Bend - Lynton Piggott, Joyce Medlow
- Tintinara - Jim & Jacki Cunningham
Community Event of the Year:
- Meningie - Murraylands Ambrose, Scrambrose & LALA Classic
Community Project of the Year:
- Meningie - Coorong Cottage Industries
- Tintinara - Tintinara Nature Playground
- Tailem Bend - Tailem Bend Community Centre's 'Bucket List'
Citizen of the Year:
- Meningie - Andrew Dawes
- Tailem Bend - Bill & Margaret Jaensch
Community Event of the Year:
- Meningie - Meningie Food, Fun & Family Fair
- Tintinara - Dr Temple Grandin Event
2017 Recipients
Citizen of the Year:
- Meningie - Lesley Fisher
- Tailem Bend - Nancy Daykin
- Tintinara - Charlie Allen
Mayor's Award:
- Marianne Cunneen
2016 Recipients
Citizen of the Year:
- Meningie - Denice Mason
- Tailem Bend - Trevor Gordon
- Tintinara - Brenton Jones
Mayor's Award:
- Meningie - Bob Lewis
- Tailem Bend - Peter Verrall