Recipients 2018

Name

Edward Roberts (Ned)

Category

South Australia's Citizen of the Year

Council

District Council of Tumby Bay

Edward Roberts known affectionately known as Ned, has quietly and generously contributed to the community of Tumby Bay and its surrounding districts. Ned has given over 25 years’ service to the Rovers Cricket Club. During this time he captained the team for many years as well as representing the Tumby Bay Association at Inter-Association level. He was nominated in their “Team of Half a Century”. Ned was also an active member of the Tumby Bay Football Club, both as a player and active club member including treasurer. He was also selected to represent Great Flinders in the Mortlock Shield. Ned has devoted his life to community service, in his working life as District Clerk of Tumby Bay District Council where he oversaw the huge expansion of Tumby Bay and Pt Neil which was a major contribution to the District’s growth and future development. This included, the northern, southern and marina projects. He was also the prime mover in the inception of Aged Homes and remains an active member since leaving the Council. His work with Council went way beyond normal working hours and extended his services beyond the role by being active across the District in school and community life.Ned was the inaugural Treasurer for Tumby Bay and District Financial Services (Community Bank) from 2012-2016 and still remains in the capacity of Treasurer and provides many hours per week providing the support for the Community Company. He is also an Ambassador for the Community Bank. Through the dedicated and hard work of Ned and others the Cleve agency was born in April 2016. His contribution to this endeavour has been highly valued by the community.He has been an active member of Lions, Catholic Community in Tumby Bay and a Justice of the Peace for 38 years. Through his marriage to Madelynn they have inspired their four children to be active citizens in their own communities.

Name

Dr Robert Irving (Dr Bob)

Category

South Australia's Citizen of the Year - Commendation Award

Council

City of Prospect

Dr Bob approached the then Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) in 1996 offering his services as a veterinary surgeon to remote indigenous communities. His offer was passed on to Nganampa Health Council (NHC) and Dr Bob subsequently started working on the NHC Dog Health Program. Dr Bob has given NHC 22 years of consistent service. The program has been funded by the Australian Government and the dog health program operates in the APY lands. The closest veterinary practice is in Alice Springs which is 500 kms from the APY lands. The aim of the program is to reduce the risk of transmission of the zoonotic diseases from dogs to humans, to control the size of the population of dogs and to humanely and strategically remove sick or troublesome dogs from the communities. In a 10 year period from 2003 to 2013 Dr Bob has administered close to 18,000 doses of the parasitic control agent, over 3000 doses of the fertility drug and put down close to 3,000. The benefits of his work are enormous. Dogs now do not suffer the consequences. Dog numbers have been controlled and reduced since the start of the program. He also works in Western Australia and the Northern Territory often in very remote locations. He has also worked in over 20 communities in an around central Australia, Arnhem Land and Cape York in Queensland. Dr Bob has been at the forefront of providing professional veterinary services on a sustained basis. His truly unique role and outstanding services has greatly reduced the risk to children and adults of contracting skin infections, diseases and chronic gut conditions. A unique character and one who has undertaken important work for the Australian community. A truly unsung citizen.

Name

Stephany Martin

Category

South Australia's Young Citizen of the Year

Council

Campbelltown City Council

Stephany grew up on a settlement just over an hour out of Mildura to a young mum, in the midst of one of the worst droughts in Australian history. She took on the opportunity to support her family during the tough economic time by cleaning her local school every night and other jobs. She discovered Art and exhibited pieces in Sydney, Mildura and Broken Hill. After graduating from high school she had the ambition to study law and to join the Rotary Club of Campbelltown (the youngest member of the District at the time), she went on to complete various Rotary Youth Leadership programs. She has taken on International Director of the Rotary Club of Campbelltown, coordinating International Women’s Day dinners and a $60,000 project raising funds for Fiji. She has coordinated other events for Rotary and temporarily joining the Council’s YAC. Stephany also chartered the Rotaract Club of Sturt, and has been the Chair of Rotary Youth Leadership Awards/Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment District Committee and awarded the Rotary District 9520 New Generations Best Project Award in 2017 for her successful programs. She remains involved in several Rotary committees advancing the mission of Rotary. Stephany, selfless contribution to the community has been relentless. During peak times of study her contribution to the community and Rotary has remained constant, driving initiatives for disadvantaged children. Stephany is an inspiring young leader, with years of dedicated service to the community.

Name

Plains On A Plate - Adelaide Plains South Australian Country Women’s Association

Category

Community Event of the Year

Council

Wakefield Regional Council

Plains on a Plate exemplifies a true community led event bringing the whole region together with a focus on food highlighting the produce of the Adelaide Plains. The Adelaide Plains CWA group conceptualised this event. Over 1,000 people attended, drawing the whole community together including the local school community, various rural industries, the Owen Hall committee, local golf, bowls, basketball and tennis clubs, the Wakefield Regional Council, CWA, Owen Ag Bureau members, local CFS members, Owen Community Centre and community volunteers. This event is a great example of a community working together to showcase local produce, build community connectedness and celebrate a successful community event.