2022 Crystal Brook & Redhill Australia Day Award Winners
Port Pirie Regional Council would like to congratulate the deserving winners of the Crystal Brook and Redhill Australia Day Awards.
The Australia Day Awards recognise outstanding contributions to the local community by individuals and an event that has made a significant contribution, both economically and socially, to the region.
The 2022 Australia Day Award winners for Crystal Brook are:
- Citizen of the Year – Maxine Wilson
Maxine Wilson has been a tireless volunteer within the Crystal Brook community since the 1970’s and has committed to a lifetime of serving the local community in many ways. Her volunteering commenced with the local Rural Youth committee and she has also been involved in a range of sports, particularly with the Merriton Tennis Club, Crystal Brook Lawn Tennis Club and Crystal Brook Netball (Basketball) Club.
During the 1990’s Maxine became a Lifeline Counsellor volunteering at the Port Pire call centre and also became a counsellor and support person with the Stillbirth and Newborn Death Support Association (SANDS). In these roles, Maxine has provided support to many bereaved families and people in their moment of need across the region for over 20 years.
Maxine has also been an active member of the Crystal Brook Primary School’s parent club and volunteers at Reflections, a local second-hand store which raises much needed funds for the local community.
Maxine has also played a significant role in seeing the rejuvenation of the Crystal Brook RSL Club where, over the last 7 years, she has been a committee member, convenor of the Fundraising Sub Committee, member of the ANZAC Day Sub Committee and the contact person for events, hire and public relations. Maxine has been instrumental in raising significant amounts of funds for the Crystal Brook RSL Club whilst at the same time supporting local veterans and their families.
- Community Event of the Year – Crystal Brook Netball Club Debutante Ball
Once considered to be a family’s announcement of their daughter’s ‘coming-of-age’, the Crystal Brook Netball Club (CBNC) debutante ball continues to flourish today. These balls are now more about fostering community between young women and men, while learning traditional dances and making lasting friendships and provides an opportunity for their families and friends to celebrate together.
This event is held every two years and not only raises important funds to support the upkeep of the local netball club, it also supports local businesses and continues to bring together young people from Crystal Brook and the surrounding areas.
At the 2021 Debutante Ball, 10 young women and their partners made their debut with 240 guests in attendance. The debutantes and their partners were presented to local football player and SANFL 2020 Magarey Medallist, Campbell Combe.
While the event took considerable organisation, particularly to meet COVID requirements, it was a great success. Crystal Brook Netball Club committee members were instrumental in bringing the event together, particularly Carly Pavy (President), Ashleigh Lynch (Secretary) and Emma Grossman (Deb Ball Coordinator) as well as long-standing community members who have helped to train the debutantes for many years including Edna Millard, Marg Collins, Bronny Perry and Julie Fogarty.
The 2022 Australia Day Award winners for Redhill are:
- · Citizens of the Year – Allan and Heather Walker (joint winners)
Allan (or Max, as he is more commonly known) and his wife Heather Walker have both been involved with many organisations in Redhill and surrounding areas.
Allan was always involved with the Country Fire Service (CFS) from an early age. He has served as a member for over 40 years, including Captain of Redhill Brigade for 7 years, and then Deputy Group Officer of the Spencer Group for over 6 years.
Through his own interests and his children, Allan has gone on to play, coach and represent a number of sporting clubs and organisations including football, tennis and basketball. Other community involvements include the Redhill Development Board, Snowtown Area School and Crystal Brook Agricultural committees.
Having their first son in 1986 catapulted Heather into the wide world of children's activities. She started by going to her first Friends of CAFHS meeting in Crystal Brook in that year, becoming Vice President and then President. She joined the local playgroup at Koolunga before forming a weekly playgroup with other mums at the Redhill Rural School.
Heather also joined Allan as a member of the Redhill CFS brigade and even took over from her husband on the Redhill Development Board.
Both Allan and Heather are still busy helping in the community. They both love farming, gardening and spending time with their family.
“We are very fortunate in our region to have such wonderful, community-minded people who put their hand up and volunteer to help out their local communities in any way they can. This year’s Australia Day Award recipients in Crystal Brook and Redhill are thoroughly deserving of their recognition and we thank them for their dedication and hard work,” said Mayor Leon Stephens.
These awards will be presented to the recipients on Australia Day as follows:
- Crystal Brook – the presentation of awards will be made in a small private ceremony which is anticipated to be live streamed onCrystal Brook Community Association’s Facebook page for the community to view.
- Redhill – Mortimer Park, Wednesday 26th January, with awards presentation from approximately 10am.