Citizen of the Year, Garry Pattingale (left). Photo credit: Whyalla News, 2021 receiving a Lions Club award.

Meet the recipients of the 2025 Citizen of the Year Awards

Whyalla City Council is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Citizen of the Year Awards, following a fantastic response from the community with a flurry of nominations in the past few weeks.

This year’s winners are:

Citizen of the Year: Mr Garry Pattingale

Senior Citizen of the Year: Mr Phil Zubrinich

Young Citizen of the Year: Mr Cody Pettiford

Community Service Awards:

Whyalla Hospital Auxiliary

Sumthin’ Tastee Christmas Lunch

Heartbeat Whyalla Inc

Ms Rebecca Morgan

Whyalla Foreshore Park Run

Mr Robert Golding

Ms Anna Sutton

Mr Richard Parker

The recipients will be presented with their awards at the Citizen of the Year Ceremony on Thursday, 23 January from 5:30pm. If you would like to watch these special individuals being recognised for their efforts, please tune in to the livestream via council’s Facebook page.

"This ceremony is about celebrating the individuals and groups who dedicate themselves to making Whyalla a better place," Mayor Phill Stone said. "Their commitment and efforts often go unnoticed, but we have the privilege of shining a spotlight on their incredible work. These award recipients exemplify the very best of Whyalla."

“I’d also like to thank all the community members who put in so many nominations; this was a record-breaking number – we’d have no winners without your efforts, so you’ve helped ensure these worthy people are recognised. With many outstanding nominations, the judges faced a tough decision, as every nominee was deserving of recognition for their contributions.”

Thank you to Beyond Bank for sponsoring these awards.

Garry Pattingale

Gary has contributed to Whyalla for over 30 years through numerous volunteer efforts. As a long-standing member of the Lions Club of Whyalla, Garry has worn many hats, including Youth Chairman, mentoring young people through the Youth of the Year Program, and serving as President, Secretary, and Treasurer multiple times. His contributions have been recognised with praises such as the Lions International President’s Certificate of Appreciation and the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. Beyond the Lions, Garry has devoted over 46 years to community service, including the Sea Rescue Squadron and the Whyalla Vintage and Classic Car Club, where he is a life member. Alongside his wife, Colleen, he has also opened their home to international exchange students and supported the Girl Guides.

Philip Zubrinich

A key figure in the Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club for over 15 years, Phil’s contributions have earned national recognition. Every summer, he ensures local beaches are safe while training the next generation of lifesavers. As a five-time President of the Rotary Club of Whyalla Norrie, Phil has led countless initiatives, supporting schools, youth programs, and global causes.

Cody Pettiford

Cody has been recognised for his efforts with the South Whyalla Football Club and the broader Whyalla community. On top of being a three-time captain of the A Grade team, he also actively supports junior and senior training sessions, attends junior games, and builds strong relationships with the younger players. He serves on the club's events and social committee, and frequently volunteers his time, whether running water, cooking meals, or setting up for the women's team events. Recognised for his outstanding contributions, Cody is a life member of South Whyalla Football Club and a recipient of multiple best and fairest awards.

Whyalla Hospital Auxiliary

The Whyalla Auxiliary, a dedicated volunteer group with a history dating back to the early 1900s, has raised over a million dollars to purchase vital equipment for the Whyalla Hospital. In 2024 alone, they contributed nearly $50,000 worth of life-saving items, including a dementia projector and neonatal screening equipment. Beyond fundraising, the group also manages the Whyalla Hospital Kiosk and the popular Tucker Trolley.

Sumthin’ Tastee – Christmas Lunch

Sam and Rob North and the team at Sumthin’ Tastee hosted a free Christmas Day luncheon at the Whyalla Wetlands for over 250 residents, creating an atmosphere where everyone was welcome. Their efforts included organising roast lunches, gifts from Father Christmas, and even delivering meals to night-shift workers, such as the SA Police and Ambulance crews. Supported by the local community, the staff at Sumthin’ Tastee demonstrated generosity, making a significant impact during challenging economic times.

Heartbeat Whyalla Inc

Heartbeat Whyalla has made an extraordinary impact on the community by raising nearly $1 million since 1980 to fund essential cardiac equipment for the Whyalla Hospital. Through their dedication and innovative fundraising efforts—including craft sales, bingo tickets, raffles, morning teas, and quiz nights—they have supported the hospital's ability to provide life-saving cardiac care. Their contributions have enabled the purchase of vital tools like holter monitors, defibrillators, external pacemakers, blood pressure monitors, and ECG machines.

Rebecca Morgan

Rebecca has made an extraordinary contribution to Whyalla's sports community over the past decade. As a dedicated member of the Wildcats Basketball Committee, she has served in various roles, including General Member, Vice President, and coach of a number of teams. Rebecca has also played key roles in the Whyalla Basketball Association, Whyalla Steelers Basketball, and the South Whyalla Football Club, dedicating hours to coaching, team management, and committee work.

Whyalla Foreshore parkrun

The Whyalla Foreshore Parkrun is a weekly event held every Saturday morning, bringing the community together to participate in a 5km walk, run, or jog. Since its launch on 13 April 2024, with 79 participants, the event has steadily grown, recently attracting 198 participants and 14 dedicated volunteers. Open to all ages and abilities, from runners and walkers to families with prams and seniors. The event is entirely run by volunteers who manage tasks such as setting up the course, registration, photography, and water stations.

Robert Golding

Robert is a dedicated community member who has contributed significantly to Whyalla through various roles and initiatives. As a Lifestyle Officer at Copperhouse Court for 19 years, he works to better residents' wellbeing by ensuring they remain connected with the community. Robert has been the Master of Ceremonies at the Whyalla Christmas Carols, is an active board member of D‘Faces of Youth Arts and has previously run a business as a clown. He has also supported fundraising efforts for cancer support groups as a member of the Whyalla Tappers.

Anna Sutton

Anna has made significant contributions to the Whyalla community through her involvement in sports and community initiatives. As a key member of the Roopena Sporting Club Board, Anna plays an integral role in decision-making while actively supporting junior and senior football, female football, and basketball programs. Her contributions include managing junior football teams, fundraising, serving as a trainer for senior football teams, running social media platforms and ensuring the smooth running of events

Richard Parker

Richard is an innovative community leader who has been at the forefront of human services in Whyalla for many years. Through his organisation, Courage Bug Productions, Richard has produced documentaries such as The Unbroken Project and launching The World's Biggest Comic. He has also initiated a podcast series and community interviews, addressing hard-hitting topics and giving a voice to locals.

Richard’s work extends to partnerships with Uniting Country SA – Gambling Help, Uniting Communities, and the Suicide Prevention Network. His involvement with Children’s University has been transformative, inspiring young minds in Whyalla and paving pathways to higher education.