Citizen of the Year Awards
CONGRATULATIONS!
Mayor Geoff Churchett and the District Council of Tumby Bay hosted the annual Australia Day breakfast on Friday, 26 January 2024 at the Tumby Bay Soldiers' Memorial Hall.
Winners of the awards were:
Mr Geoff Stewart - Senior Citizen of the Year
Geoff is a long serving volunteer with the South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS). His ability to give critical medical assistance has seen him save lives, not only in Tumby Bay but across the whole District. His compassion on call outs means so much for the community. This is eveident by the voluntary contribution of over 5000 hours of on-call hours in the last 12 months. His long term and ongoing support of the SAAS secures a vital coluntary service to our communities. In 2023 Geoff received his 25 Year Service Award from SAAS.
Geoff's has shown commitment to the Tumby Bay Sub-Branch of the Returned and Services League (RSL) since 2003. He is a voluntary military historian recording the lives and services of Tumby Bay and Environs returned men and women dating back to the Boer War, which is published in the monthly Council and Community Newsletter and other RSL publications. His contribution to the RSL has seen him on the Management Committee, as Welfare Officer, ANZAC Centenary Walk of Honour, and active participant in the 100 year ANZAC celebrations.
Geoff is an also an active member of Meals on Wheels, is a Red Cross driver, community bus driver when required, leads the Bikes by the Bay cyclists Saturday mornings, was a previous Elected Member of Deputy Mayor of Council for a four year term in 2014, and was instrumental in the funding for six defibrillator machines which are placed strategically around the community.
Dr Emmy Hennell - Award for Active Citizenship
Emmy has always been an active member of the community, through her work with the school, church, sporting or other community groups.
Emmy is one of Tumby Bay's primary doctors at the local clinic and hospital. She is also a response doctor in the Rural Emergency Responders Network. When required Emmy will attend the scene of emergencies to assist first hand alongside SA Ambulance Service officers. This is over and above her commitments at the medical clinic and hospital.
Emmy also assists local ambulance officers with training and scenario training.
Emmy plays a lead role in the Tumby Bay Basketball Club and is an active participant in JH Dance.
Mr Denny Cox - Senior Citizen of the Year
Denny is very well known in the Port Neill community.
Denny is an active member of the Port Neill Progress Association. He is playing and active member of the Port Neill Golf Club, often out clearing scrapes, mowing or reparing things around the club.
Dennis is the backbone of the Port Neill Men's Shed. His knowledge and skills in wood working is shared and part onto other members. If there are no projects on the go, he is still there to chat with and have a cup of coffee.
He is often out emptying bottle and can bins for the Progress Association.
Denny was the instigator of the Port Neill RV Park which now boasts a shelter shed and rain water - all set up and built by Denny and the men's shed.
Community members often seek out Denny's assistance with small jobs on houses, cars, trailers or furniture. He is often seen in front of the house repairing or making furniture.
Colour Tumby Festival 2023 - Community Event of the Year
The Colour Tumby Festival is a collaboration between the District Council of Tumby Bay and the community. The collaboration fosters support from community groups, leaders and volunteers, resulting in a community focused, inclusive event for everyone to enjoy.
The Colour Tumby Festival receives huge exposure and is an effective mechanism for raising destination awareness to attract visitor, while also contributing to social unity and wellbeing of residents, and the local and regional economies and identity, while meeting the government's outcomes established through 'Revive'.
Average festival data indicates significant impacts:
- an annual output of $1.6 million with a local value-add of $600,000.
- estimated increase of 15 jobs regionally
- increase of visitor numbers and the dollar input.
The Colour Tumby Festival was names as a finalist in the 2022 SA Tourism Awards.
Ungarra Primary School - Certificate of Achievement
The Ungarra Primary School Parents Committee have worked tirelessly over the last year to raise an astonishing $50,000 towards the installation of a new inclusive playground for their school, valued at $100,000.
The school:
- ran a highly successful online auction sourcing donations from over 80 businesses, houses and individuals, culminating in raising $15,000
- held a Parents and Friends Art Exhibition raising over $5000
- secured of $20,000 in sponsorship through parents and staff
- were awarded a $40,000 Variety Club grant
- raised over $1,000 by students catering for community group luncheons
- raised $2,000 by parents and staff running sausage sizzles at Bunnings
- continue to raise funds through NGR harvest donations.
A great effort from all sections of the school. Contratulations Ungarra Primary School community!