Recipients of the Crystal Brook and Redhill Australia Day Awards
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 2020 Australia Day Award winners for Crystal Brook are:
- Citizen of the Year – Yvonne Tobin
Yvonne owns her own business in Crystal Brook and has been involved in the local sports of hockey, swimming and tennis nearly all her life. Yvonne has been made a life member of the swimming and hockey club and gives a 100% honest opinion when coaching young/new players in the sports. Yvonne is also a leader, coach and a life member of the South Australian Primary School Amateur Sports Association (SAPSASA).
- Junior Citizen of the Year – Chloe Arbon (age 21)
Chloe co-owns and co-manages the Crystal Brook Newsagency. Chloe was nominated for her pleasant, polite and friendly customer service and for going over and above the normal care of customers to get to know their individual needs. The nominator described Chloe as an excellent role model of the youth of Crystal Brook.
- Community Event of the Year – A Brush with Art (Organisation – Bowman Park Management Committee)
The ten day event was a great interaction between artists and visitors. It gave a unique opportunity for local, largely unknown talent to be displayed, admired, and acknowledged and also for locals to meet and get to know each other. The event also showcased the beautiful Bowman Park.
The 2020 Australia Day Award winner for Redhill is:
- Citizen of the Year – Richard Rackham
Richard is a great community minded person who does a lot behind the scenes and has a long history of community involvement. He joined the CFS in 1986 and was part of the first CFS Strike team to go to NSW in 1994. He was the Redhill CFS Lieutenant from 1995 – 2004 and CFS Captain from 2014 to the present day.
Richard has also been involved with several sports and community clubs over the years in various roles including the Gulnare/Redhill Football Club, Brinkworth/Spalding/Redhill FC, Redhill Tennis Club, Crystal Brook Agricultural Bureau, Crystal Brook branch of the SA Farmers Federation, SAFF Commerce Committee, Crystal Brook Viterra Silos Committee, Redhill/Koolunga Flood Plain Group, PPRC Drum Muster Committee and the Redhill Development Association for 25 Years, the highlight of which was the visit of then Governor of SA Marjorie Jackson Nelson to open the Mortimer Park playground in 2003. Richard’s family are also active members in the local community of Redhill.
These awards will be presented at the Australia Day celebrations to be held as follows:
- Crystal Brook –Adelaide Square, Sunday 26th January, Breakfast from 8am
- Redhill – Mortimer Park, Sunday 26th January, 9am start
Mayor Leon Stephens congratulated each of the worthy recipients.
“Thank you to Yvonne, Chloe and Richard for your contributions to our rural communities. 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 members of the Bowman Park Management Committee for organising A Brush with Art which was held in September last year. This event was very well run and provided an opportunity for local artists to showcase their talents.”
“These recipients are shining examples of local people doing fantastic things for their communities and it is very fitting that they are being recognised for their efforts,” said Mayor Stephens.