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Australia Day Awards to be handed out at Mount Gambier breakfast event

A long serving humanitarian, a disability advocate, a community group champion, a new look festival and an entertainment icon are all set to be honoured at this week’s Australia Day Breakfast event in Mount Gambier.

The Cave Carden (Thugi) will host this Thursday’s breakfast, which will again be catered by the Lakes Rotary Club of Mount Gambier, kicks off at 7.30am with plenty of entertainment on offer.

Trish and Isaac Bruggemann; Adrian Sutton and Ben Hood; Strings Attached and the Blue Lake Highland Pipe Band will take the stage, whole proceeds from the breakfast will be donated to SAPOL’s ‘Law Enforcement Torch Run’ – a fundraising campaign that sees South Australian law enforcement officers supporting, promoting and accepting athletes with intellectual disabilities.

For the first time at the Australia Day Breakfast in Mount Gambier, the event will be interpreted on stage in Auslan - the language of the Australian Deaf Community. In addition, accessible matting will be laid on the lawn, allowing better wheelchair access for attendees.

As always, there will be an official ceremony that honours the 2023 Australia Day Award winners, who will be presented by the Mayor of Mount Gambier Lynette Martin OAM, as well as the singing of the national anthem and a flag-raising ceremony by the 48th Army Cadet Unit.

For those unable to attend the event, the City of Mount Gambier is live-streaming the proceedings, which can be viewed at facebook.com/cityofmountgambier

“So many residents in the Mount Gambier community show community support and spirit, and it is a real delight to acknowledge their efforts to give back to the community as part of the Citizen of the Year Awards,” Mayor Martin said. “The recipients of the 2023 awards, along with all of those nominated, contribute to the advancement and wellbeing of our community in Mount Gambier, and the whole city should be proud of their achievement.”

2023 AWARD WINNERS Citizen of the Year Graham Carter OAM

Graham’s long journey of community contribution has focussed on humanitarian service and building better communities for the benefit of all. Graham (pictured top right) is a remarkable member of our community who has contributed distinguished service of the highest order in civic, agricultural, emergency services and community service organisations. His wise, calm, facilitating approach, combined with great inner strength and seemingly endless capacity for work, has made an outstanding contribution to the many voluntary and business organisations with which he has been associated for over 60 years.

Senior Citizen of the Year Allen Woodham OAM

Allen (pictured centre right) has contributed to the life and advancement of Mount Gambier for many decades. He has worked with the Salvation Army, Mount Gambier City Band, Lions Club, Local Brass Band, and Christmas Parade Advisory Group. Allen is currently the treasurer of the Mount Gambier Lions Club and has had previous terms in this role and as President of the Club whilst also serving in his third term as President of the Mount Gambier City Band.

Young Citizen of the Year Zane Serdarovic

Zane (pictured bottom right) is the President of Mount Gambier’s Riding for the Disabled Centre and does incredible work day in and day out with the centre’s members. Zane has done a fantastic job in providing the best possible service he can to the RDA clients and strives for change. Recently Zane organised an awards night for the centre with medals and certificates as a way for everyone to feel valued and appreciated. Zane makes every person who walks into the centre feel welcome, and when asked why he volunteers, Zane said, “the kids, their smiles and how much they love it, it honestly just makes it worth it every time.”

Community Event of the Year Fantasy Medieval Festival

The inaugural Fantasy Medieval Festival (pictured below - jousting & maypole performance) was awarded Community Event of the Year for creating a fantastic community atmosphere, with plenty on offer for the whole family. A dedicated team of volunteers ran the festival, which generated significant visitation to Mount Gambier, a terrific accomplishment in its first year.

Award for Active Citizenship RSL Blue Lake Highland Pipe Band

The RSL Blue Lake Highland Pipe Band (pictured below in the 2022 Mount Gambier Christmas Parade; at the Bell Studio of Dancing end of year concert & from the archives) can trace its history back to 1895. During this time, it has supported the Mount Gambier and district communities primarily free of charge with a myriad of musical support and has represented Mount Gambier overseas. Along with the music the band provides to the city, the RSL Blue Lake Highland Pipe Band provides tuition and instruments free of charge to community members, introducing young people to the pipe band fraternity.