- Latest News
Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer has praised this year’s winners of the 2018 Whyalla Australia Day Awards and said it was no surprise so many wonderful people were being recognised.
The Mayor presented each winner their City of Whyalla Australia Day award during a special function on Thursday night at the Mount Laura Homestead. The winners will again be acknowledged during Friday’s Whyalla Australia Day Celebrations at Ada Ryan Gardens.
“We’ve seen over the past six months what a wonderful and strong community we have in Whyalla,” Mayor Breuer said.
“The strength of this community is the reason we got through a tough period last year, with the uncertainty of the sale of the steelworks, and the foundation for that strength comes from these individuals we are honouring.
“When the likes of Sanjeev Gupta (chief executive of GFG Alliance which now runs and owners the Whyalla steelworks and associated mines) and representatives from the number of new companies coming to Whyalla, talk about how impressed they are with Whyalla and our community, we can thank all of tonight’s winners, and all the nominees, for their work to create that community.
“Every one of the winners has contributed in their own way to help Whyalla get back on the road to a wonderful future.
“Along the way, they’ve also helped a lot of individuals and groups in our city and for this we are so grateful.
“These awards are a fitting way to recognise their tireless and selfless efforts.
“The City of Whyalla and the whole community says thanks to these magnificent people.”
Mayor Breuer also gave thanks to Beyond Bank which has sponsored this year’s awards and contributed to the Australia Day Celebrations.
This year’s winners:
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
KAREN HARRISON
Karen Harrison is a person who never shies away from offering a helping hand to anyone that needs it.
Karen works tirelessly to help others and goes above and beyond for the community of Whyalla.
She is selfless and has an amazing amount of enthusiasm for the projects she is involved in.
Among her many community endeavours, Karen was the creator of Whyalla Zombie Walk. The aim of the walk is to raise funds for those in the Whyalla community in desperate need of support.
The Zombie Walks has so far made donations to the Wig Library, the mental health section of the Whyalla Hospital and most recently to two little boys facing serious medical issues.
Karen played a pivotal role in forming the Whyalla Ripples Support group. This group is there to support for families of those addicted to elicit substances. Karen has given herself tirelessly to create and evolve this group to support those going through something that no parent would want to.
Karen is also a local business owner and lends her time and her business to helping others. It is a well-known fact that Karen has a lounge at the rear of her shop where no person is turned away if they need to talk. She is continually helping people whether it be finding someone furniture, or helping someone with their next meal.
SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
MARLENE ARTHUR
For Marlene, age is no barrier in giving back to the community and she can regularly be seen volunteering her time.
Over the past 24 years Marlene has generously volunteered at various op shops in Whyalla.
18 years have been spent volunteering for Heartbeat in various roles and Marlene has also been the co-founder of the Asbestos Victims Support Group with 15 years of voluntary work experience with them.
Marlene’s love for the city and her passion for its people has shown through her numerous years of service.
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
GEMMA TODD
Gemma Todd is a truly inspiring young lady who is never afraid to put her hand up if it means helping the community.
Gemma is a true leader in both St John and the Whyalla Community. She has achieved the highest rank achievable for a young leader in the St John Cadet Division inbetween working, studying, family, sport and volunteering.
Gemma has a very strong voice in the division for not allowing any form of bullying or harassment, organising and running courses for all the cadets in personal safety and personal wellbeing.
She has just completed her first year of her nursing degree at UNISA Whyalla Campus while also being involved in the Weerona Bay Football Club as a trainer, coach and volunteer. She also plays in netball and hockey combined teams and also organised a ‘call to arms’ through football and hockey to raise money for cancer.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
TREVOR ARMSTRONG
Trevor’s passion for Whyalla has never wavered and, in fact, gets stronger by the day.
Trevor has been involved in numerous volunteer roles within many organisations.
This includes the Whyalla Uniting Church for over 50 years, Masonic Lodge for over 35 years, Meals on Wheels for 11 years, Heartbeat for 15 years, hospital volunteer and RFDS.
Now, at the wonderful age of 70, he has now decided to become a St Johns volunteer and has quickly progressed to the level of First Responder while becoming an integral member of the local division attending events on not only a local but state level.
ANN BORSCAK
Ann is a Communicare and lifeline member who is selfless in her work and volunteering her time.
Lifeline has become a second home for Ann as she has been volunteering here time for the past 10 years.
When people are asked to describe Ann, the overwhelming response is that she is generous in all things and loves her jobs.
JEANETTE COWAN
Jeanette has been an outstanding member of the community for many years.
She is a loving mother and wife and also a dedicated foster carer. Jeanette is a strong advocate for Aboriginal education and has been a teacher for 30 years in the Whyalla community.
Jeanette is an unsung community champion who has been through her own grief, loss and heartache but remains true to herself and provides valuable and vital support for Aboriginal students and their families. Jeanette was unable to attend on the night.
GARY MISAN
Gary has made an outstanding contribution to Whyalla through his earlier professional role in the health field and in recent years through his tireless efforts to create one of the best men’s sheds in South Australia.
Gary is well respected for his leadership and support of members and it was due to his outstanding contribution and determination to succeed, that is now very much a part of the Whyalla Community.
DIANNE AND FRANK SAMPSON
Dianne and Frank have both been a part of the Salvation Army for many years.
Dianne has run playgroups, craft groups, Salvation Army scouts, fetes, she runs the Salvation Army café and helped to set up the op-shops. Every year Dianne also helps with the Red Shield Appeal and Christmas hampers.
Frank also works within the Salvation Army, and has done so for most of his life, helping thousands of people in the community.
His dedication and commitment as a foodbank volunteer doesn’t stop there. When it needed a manager, Frank took it upon himself to step in, ensuring food relief got to places where it was needed.
SPORTS CONTRIBUTION AWARD
This year sees the eighth Whyalla Australia Day Sports Contribution Award shared between two dedicated individuals who have made an outstanding contribution in their field of sports, with particular emphasis on their dedicated volunteer service.
SHYALEE DAVIDSON
Shyalee’s dedication to gymnastics in her roles as head coach at Eyre Gymnastics Club goes far beyond the love of the sport.
She has been involved in the sport of gymnastics since the age of three and represented South Australia at levels 7 and 8 at national competitions when she was younger.
Shyalee started coaching in 2000, then again in 2012 on her return from Melbourne she started coaching again and has been a part of Eyre Gymnastics since its inception.
In its three years of operation, the success of the Eyre Gymastics Club has had can be largely attributed to the efforts of Shyalee.
RUTH ROWLANDS
Ruth’s love for basketball has been shown in her passion for co-founding the Roopena Basketball Club in the winter season 2016 to become the first new club in over 30 years to come into the Whyalla Basketball Association.
In the award nomination it stated, “the Roopena basketball club will soon be a force to be reckoned with, priding themselves of having strong active committee led by President Ruth Rowlands.”
Ruth also coaches the Whyalla Steelers combined team and has provided valuable assistance to players and played a pivotal part in many triumphs.
Ruth also offers assistance to club coaches, arming them with valuable skills that they can take back to their club to encourage a fair and competitive local competition.
EVENT OF THE YEAR
Erica Benson, Mat Kade and Jeremy Head accept their club's award from Mayor Lyn Breuer.
SHINS OF STEEL 10 ROUND
The hard-working Shins of Steel Muay Thai club’s event provided a wonderful economic boost for the city.
In March 2017, Shins of Steel celebrated its 10th anniversary with international calibre fighters putting Whyalla on the map for Muay Thai in Australia. The event saw seven local fighters compete with a total of 17 visiting fighters along with their support teams.
Justin Fennell, who has played an integral part of this event, has also been nominated for 2017 Promoter of the year at the Australian Muay Thai Awards.
The Shins of Steel event has grown over the past 10 years raising the profile of Whyalla each and every year.