Wattle Range Council is set to celebrate the ‘Local Legends’ in our community this Australia Day, with a series of celebrations being held across the Council region.

Complimentary Australia Day breakfasts will return to each of the Council wards on Thursday, January 26, with the local Lions Clubs catering from 8 am at Beachport’s Lagoon Reserve, the Kalangadoo Institute Hall, Jubilee Park in Millicent and Penola’s War Memorial Park.

Awards will be presented from 9 am and Mayor Des Noll is pleased to announce that this year’s recipients will be:

Corcoran Ward

(Presented in Millicent)

• Citizen of the Year - Susan Lines
• Young Citizen of the Year - Arabey McKenzie
• Community Event of the Year - Thank you Day

Kintore Ward

(Presented in Beachport)

• Citizen of the Year - Liam Mills
• Community Event of the Year - Beachport Crayfish Festival

Riddoch Ward

(Presented in Penola)

• Citizen of the Year - Wendy Hollick
• Community Event of the Year - Coonawarra Running Festival
• Young Citizen of the Year - Georgia Winter
• Youth Recognition Award (Contributions to the Community) - Brad Gartner

Sorby Adams Ward

(Presented in Kalangadoo)

• No nominations received

“The contribution and service these hardworking individuals have provided in our Wattle Range community has been acknowledged as recipients of the 2023 Australia Day Awards,” Mayor Noll said.

“We invite everyone to come out, bring along a picnic rug or chair, and celebrate the achievements of these special Australians on our National Day,” he added.

In attendance at the Millicent event this year will be Australia Day Ambassador, Ian Smith. Ian is an author, peacekeeper, veteran, and retired member of Australian Federal Police and will make an address during proceedings.

Mayor Noll will be attending the breakfast at Kalangadoo, and although there were no nominations for awards in the Sorby Adams Ward, he will be officiating a citizenship ceremony.

The awards at the Beachport, Millicent and Penola ceremonies will be presented by their individual elected members.

Later that day, further festivities will be hosted by the communities of Southend and Tantanoola.

The Tantanoola event will feature games & a BYO barbie lunch at 12:30pm in the Railway Lands.

In Southend, celebrations will be held on the Western Beach, beginning at 2pm. Beachgoers can enjoy donuts, a free BBQ and fruit with activities for the children including sandcastle competition, tug of war and more.

More information about each of the events can be found on the Council website www.wattlerange.sa.gov.au

For further information on this release please contact:

Ben Gower, Chief Executive Officer
Email:                       council@wattlerange.sa.gov.au
Telephone:                (08) 8733 0900