Mount Gambier Citizen of the Year Award Recipients Announced

The City of Mount Gambier Citizen of the Year awards for 2018 were announced today, with presentations being held at the Australia Day Breakfast celebration to be held at The Railway Land on Friday January 26th.

As a member of the three-person selection panel for these awards, I can assure you that choosing which recipient is "more worthy" for lack of a better term, is quite difficult. Each year we are presented with a large number of nominations which showcases the excellent sense of community Mount Gambier has, and the amazing people we have living here.

"The awards recognise individuals and organisations that have made a noteworthy contribution during the current year and/or given outstanding service over a number of years, to a local community over and above normal employment duties," said Mayor Andrew Lee - also a member of the selection panel.


This year's recipients are as follows.


Citizen of the Year: Lois Bayre
Citizen of the Year: Peter Martin
Young Citizen of the Year: Laura Small
Community Event of the Year: Fidler & Webb Exhibition: Mount Gambier History Group


Lois Bayre has raised more than $100,000 for Cancer Council SA through the Australia's Biggest Morning Tea for the past 19 years. What started with her inviting a couple dozen friends over to her house for the Morning Tea soon moved on to St Paul's Hall with 120 people - and it's grown ever since.

Peter Martin was selected due to his tireless work within the community, his community spirit and general giving nature. He's the type of guy to drop everything to help those who need it - running errands or helping people move house, always smiling and interacting with people on his regular walks.

Laura Small is a local musician who has embedded herself in the Mount Gambier community in just the four years she's lived here. Having completed her Bachelor of Jazz Composition she is now studying a Masters of Teaching through UniSA. When she's not performing at events like the Christmas Parade, Carols, Blue Lake Fun Run or at various community events alongside the Mayfair Singers, Concert Band and City Band - she's sharing her knowledge with the next generation of musicians, volunteering at Mount Gambier North Primary.

The Mount Gambier History Group's Fidler & Webb exhibition was an outstanding event showcasing the 150 years of Fidler & Webb in Mount Gambier. The tireless efforts of the committee to research and put together such an extensive collection was well-received by the public with over 1000 visitors in the 13 days of exhibition.


Mayor Lee has invited the community to the event which will once again be held at The Railway Lands. "We hope the entire community will join us at 7:30am for breakfast and entertainment including performances from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, North Gambier Primary School students, Jason and Christy Wallace and Phoenix Music Studio. The awards presentation will then begin at 9:15am."




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