2022 Australia Day Celebrations in Port Augusta
The 2022 Australia Day celebrations was postponed in Gladstone Square due to COVID-19. For the 40th annual morning ceremony, Port Augusta City Council hosted a live zoom meeting presenting the awards and citizenship at 9am.
Australia Day Ambassador Mr Wayne Anthoney OAM - Wayne was trained as a scientist, then worked in the entertainment industry and as Humbolt the Clown on a children’s TV show. He then went on to become a Project Manager for Nyangatjatjara Aboriginal Corporation, which delivered Nyangatjatjara College, an independent secondary school for Aboriginal teenagers near Uluru. Mr Anthoney has ties to Port Augusta and welcomed the opportunity to participate as Australia Day Ambassador.
Former Port Augusta resident and Australia Day Ambassador, Mrs Vicky Welgraven was announced in the Australia Day Honours by the Governor-General with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division, for significant service to women through social welfare organisations, and to Indigenous health.
Shelley Ellis received the Citizen of the Year Award. Shelley has been involved with the Port Augusta Scout Group for over 14 years. Affectionately known as ‘Kangaroo’, Shelley has been a member of the Parent Committee and Chairperson. For the past nine years, Shelley has been the Group Leader.
Shelley continues to support the Scout Group even though her children have now graduated through the ranks of Scouts.
Shelley has faced many challenges through Covid, and despite the constant changes between online and face to face Scouting, Shelley has maintained the Group’s membership.
Mayor Brett Benbow stated “Shelley is a very deserving recipient of the ‘2022 Port Augusta Citizen of the Year Award. She has coordinated endless camps, family nights and fundraisers and has been responsible for opening groups, recruiting leaders and parent committee members. Under Shelley’s leadership, the Port Augusta Scout Group has grown to be one of the largest and strongest regional membership groups”.
The Award for Active Citizenship was presented to Phil Jones for his work in the community teaching Tai Chi and for his voluntary work with Families SA.
Phil has been teaching Tai Chi in Port Augusta for approximately 50 years. He currently holds classes three days a week to the both the young and elderly. Phil has also taught classes to people with multiple disabilities. His caring and supportive nature brings out the best in everyone he meets.
“Last year Phil and the Port Augusta Tai Chi group attended a workshop in regional South Australia to demonstrate to a world international Tai Chi champion. The excellent skills and techniques demonstrated by the Port Augusta group can be accredited to Phil’s teaching”, Mayor Benbow stated.
The Environmental Sustainability Award was received by Port Augusta Coastcare.
The Port Augusta Coastcare group was established in December 2020 to focus on creating awareness in the community to protect and maintain coastal biodiversity in Port Augusta and support sustainable outcomes.
The Port Augusta Coastcare has 30 regular members including members from various Port Augusta groups and organisations. The group is interested in promoting recycling and adapting to climate change.
The group is working on mapping stormwater outlets to find solutions for better waste catchment, monitoring and improving water quality, supporting Blue Carbon projects and collaborating to address illegal dumping.
The South Augusta Football Club’s – Will Bolitho Recovery Fundraising received the Community Event of the Year.
During the A Grade Preliminary Final, South Augusta player Will Bolitho suffered life changing spinal injuries following a tackle from an opponent. Will was rushed to Adelaide and the club was informed that 98% of people who suffer from this type of injury will never walk again.
To raise money for expenses, the South Augusta Football Club formed a committee to fundraise to assist Will.
The South Augusta Football Club members and wider community raised an amazing sum of money via raffles, auctions of donated goods, fundraising footy match and created an entire fundraising program to assist Will in his rehabilitation. Will was extremely fortunate and is on the road to recovery.
Council would like to acknowledge the following nominees of the Port Augusta Australia Day awards, who will receive formal notification and also thanking them for their contribution to the community:
- Ellen Ekberg for Citizen of the Year
- Dior May for Active Citizen Award
- Friends of the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden – Environmental Sustainability
- Ladies Who Lunch 2021 – Community Event of the Year
- City of Port Augusta Cup – Community Event of the Year
- Pink Lady Mid – Summer Ball – Community Event of the Year
- South Augusta vs Emergency Services Footy Match – Community Event of the Year
- Show ‘n’ Shine – Community Event of the Year
- Covid 19 Vaccination Program (Stepping Stones Day Centre, Pika Wiya & Defence Forces) – Community Event of the Year
- Christmas Extravaganza – Community Event of the Year
- Outwit your Outfit – Mayhem Fitness – Community Event of the Year
For further information please contact Council’s Media and Communications Officer on (08) 86419100
BRETT BENBOW
MAYOR PORT AUGUSTA CITY COUNCIL
26/01/2022