Port Pirie Australia Day Award Recipients
Port Pirie Regional Council would like to congratulate the deserving winners of Port Pirie’s Australia Day Awards. These awards will be presented at Port Pirie’s Australia Day celebrations at the Solomontown Beach Foreshore on Sunday 26 January 2020.
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 2020 Australia Day Award winners are:
- Citizen of the Year – Colin ‘Cactus’ Martens
Cactus Martens is a musical performer who has a great reputation in the broader music industry. Cactus has freely and willingly given his time to entertain at aged care facilities, retirement complexes, hospitals and more as well as contributing significantly to the Port Pirie Country Music Festival. He has also toured nationally with country music performers and been a great ambassador for his home town of Port Pirie.
- Young Citizen of the Year – Kyah Dienhoff
At 17 years of age, Kyah has demonstrated great community spirit through her endeavours. Kyah visited Cambodia for a Projects Abroad service trip and was involved in several fundraising activities for the trip. Kyah volunteers at community radio station Trax FM (where she uses skills learnt in her German studies to assist on the German radio program), at the Crystal Brook Motorcycle Club canteen and Checkmates Softball Club. Kyah has also represented her school, John Pirie Secondary School, on many occasions.
- Community Event of the Year – SA Junior Soccer Country Championships
- players and more than 2500 spectators attended the SA Junior Soccer Country Championships, which were organised by the Port Pirie Junior Soccer Association. This event showcased the Port Pirie Sports Precinct and newly renovated Senate Road soccer complex clubhouse. The South Australian Junior Soccer Association described the event as the most efficiently organised championships they had witnessed in 38 years.
Mayor Leon Stephens, who will present the awards on Australia Day, congratulated the three recipients.
“Thank you to Cactus and Kyah for your service to our community. We are so grateful for your dedication to your volunteering efforts and the way in which you act as ambassadors for our region,” Mayor Stephens said.
“I would also like to thank and acknowledge the Port Pirie Junior Soccer Association for organising and staging a wonderful Country Championships last year. This event showcased not only our new sporting facilities but also the entire city to the many families who visited.
“These three recipients are a true inspiration for all of us.”