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WORTHY WINNER: 2019 Whyalla Citizen of the Year Lesley Maxwell, right, with Mayor Clare McLaughlin. Picture: Whyalla News
Mayor Clare McLaughlin will be honouring Whyalla’s Australia Day citizens of the year at a special presentation tonight.
On behalf of the city, Mayor McLaughlin will present the citizens of the year with their awards at the Mt Laura Homestead Museum in front of family and friends. Declaring it an amazing honour, she said the award winners were remarkable people who contribute countless hours of selfless work to our community.
This year’s Citizen of the Year will be presented to Lesley Maxwell for her work with the Baptist Church and the community. Raelene Williams will be honoured with the Senior Citizen of the Year award for her efforts in raising money and awareness for cancer research and support.
One of our finest young citizens, Emily Rawlings will receive the Young Citizen of the Year honour for her many community activities and endeavours.
“These awards are the very least we can do as a city to thank the all for their tireless commitment.” Mayor Clare McLaughlin
Kirsty Arbuckle will step up and be recognised for her amazing efforts in promoting women in sport with the Sports Contribution Award while Whyalla Apex Club members will be present to accept the Event of the Year award for once again staging the popular Whyalla GFG Alliance Christmas Pageant and After Pageant Fair.
Community Service awards will also be presented to Susan Burgess, Heidi French, Bruce Muhlhan, Allison Skepper, Olga St Paul and Jan Wakeling.
“It is remarkable to look through the nominations that list the many hours of selfless work these winners have contributed to our community and the many people they have helped along the way," Mayor McLaughlin said.
“These awards have identified some remarkable people and also recognise those that have supported them along the way.
“They are the very least we can do as a city to thank the all for their tireless commitment.”
Award winners are nominated by their peers in the community. Judging is done by a panel of Council officers, community members and the previous year’s Citizen of the Year.
“People should rightly look at these winners in awe and now is also the time to start thinking about nominating someone for next year’s awards,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“There are so many people like this year’s winners who deserve to be recognised for their efforts in making our city an even better place to live in.
"We had a tough time deciding on some of these awards with many very worthy nominations just missing out so we also encourage people to re-nominate these people."
The 2019 citizens of the year will be presented to the crowd again at tomorrow’s Whyalla Australia Day celebrations at Ada Ryan Gardens.
Whyalla Australia Day Celebrations – Ada Ryan Gardens Saturday January 26
From 6.30am: Australia Day Fun Run. Registrations from 6.30am for an 8am start.
From 4pm: • Face painting • Jumping castle • Food and drink • D’faces extravaganza • Bubble soccer • Carnival rides
4pm: Youth Hour proudly presented by the Whyalla Music Association.
4pm: Beach Detectives registration for activities from 4.30pm to 5.30pm. Discover the secrets of the sea with this activity accompanied children run by Natural Resources Management Eyre Peninsula.
5.15pm: Flag raising ceremony and national anthem by Brie Ryan; Australia Day award acknowledgements; Citizenship ceremony; lamington unveiling
6pm: Jamie the Magician live on stage. Jamie Nelson (aka Mr Charisma)
with his jaw-dropping, death-defying fire act and Houdini Escape
6.45pm: Dummy spitting competition; Egg and spoon race
8pm: Emily Rawlings live on stage
About 9pm: Fireworks spectacular from the end of the breakwater.