Announcing Our 2024 Citizen of the Year Award Winners!
The District Council of Yankalilla is proud to announce the recipients of our 2024 Citizen of the Year Awards. The Awards recognise the incredible efforts of those in our community who rise to the challenge and demonstrate leadership, initiative and active citizenship.
The Awards will be presented at our Australia Day Celebration at The Village Green, Normanville on Friday 26 January at 9 am.
Congratulations to all our winners:
- Citizen of the Year Award - Jon Jaensch
- Young Citizen of the Year Award - Rachel Graves
- Community Event of the Year Award - Fleurieu AG FEST
- Active Citizenship Award - The Myponga Reservoir parkrun Volunteers.
- Mayor’s Award – Peter Filsell
- Deputy Mayor’s Award – Ash and Cassie Edwards
Nominations for these awards can be made year round online – visit www.yankalilla.sa.gov.au/australiaday for more information.
Citizen of the Year - Jon Jaensch
Jon Jaensch embodies a lifetime of extraordinary service and selflessness in the Yankalilla community. A resident since 1974, Jon's journey began as a dedicated school teacher in the local district, setting the stage for a remarkable legacy of community engagement.
In 1976, Jon joined the local volunteer ambulance team, starting with St Johns and later transitioning to the SA Ambulance Service. Across 47 years, he has held various pivotal roles, including serving as the Yankalilla team leader from 2007 to 2022 and acting as a Zone representative since 2009. His commitment goes beyond the call of duty, extending to training and assessing students and ensuring a legacy of skilled emergency responders in the community.
Jon's impact is felt deeply within the Yankalilla Lutheran Church, where he has been an Elder for 48 years. His roles as a lay reader, worship leader and provider of free firewood for those in need showcase his diverse contributions to the spiritual and material well-being of his community.
Not confined to his local church, Jon is a key figure in the Yankalilla Inter Church Council Committee, uniting five local Christian denominations. Through his efforts in collecting bottles and cans, Jon has been instrumental in funding vital community services, including community transport cars, a food pantry, and events like community Christmas carols and the 'Escape the Vape' forum with the Yankalilla Area School.
Jon's influence extends to the broader community through his role in providing free education with CPR 30 sessions, empowering community members to respond effectively in emergencies. Despite receiving numerous accolades, such as the Distinguished Service Award in April 2023, Jon remains a humble figure, consistently working to recruit and train new ambulance volunteers.
The 2024 Citizen of the Year Award is a well-deserved recognition of Jon Jaensch's profound impact on Yankalilla. His unwavering dedication to community service, spanning nearly five decades, is a testament to his commitment to creating a better and safer environment for all.
Young Citizen of the Year Award - Rachel Graves
Rachel Graves has showcased remarkable commitment and enthusiasm for community service, creating impactful opportunities for young individuals in our area. Her involvement in Auskick, teaching swimming and achieving a Bronze Medallion in surf lifesaving reflects not only her skills but also her passion for enhancing the overall well-being of our community.
As an integral part of Rapid Bay Primary School, Rachel serves as a dedicated School Services Officer (SSO). In this role, she has exhibited tremendous dedication not only to her students but also to their families and the broader local community. Rachel goes above and beyond by actively participating in all local events and demonstrating a willingness to contribute to the community's vitality.
What sets Rachel apart is her ability to balance her community involvement with her commitment to academic pursuits. Despite maintaining full-time studies towards becoming a teacher, Rachel has consistently shown a work ethic and commitment to community service that makes her a standout role model for our wider community.
Rachel's impact extends beyond her immediate responsibilities, making her a fantastic representative of the values and dedication that the Young Citizen of the Year Award aims to celebrate. The District Council of Yankalilla is honoured to acknowledge Rachel Graves for her exceptional contributions.
Community Event of the Year Award - Fleurieu AG FEST
Fleurieu AG FEST, held at our local showgrounds, stood out for its multi-faceted positive impact. The event successfully attracted visitors from both within and outside the region, bringing together developers, producers, sellers and users of agricultural technology. This collaborative platform created opportunities for knowledge exchange, idea sharing and crucially, the strengthening of community bonds.
With a primary objective of engaging students in various agricultural career pathways, Fleurieu AG FEST hosted over 250 secondary students from schools across the Fleurieu region. These students had the unique opportunity to interact directly with professionals in the agricultural sector, gaining insights into potential career paths and opportunities.
The event went beyond its educational focus, providing a platform for local businesses to showcase and promote their products and services. AG FEST significantly contributed to the exposure and expansion of local businesses, fostering economic growth within the community.
AG FEST's impact extended beyond the educational and economic realms, fostering a sense of community pride and engagement. The event brought together primary producers, community members, and businesses, creating a more cohesive and resilient community. As resilience is crucial for regional communities, Fleurieu AG FEST played a major role in contributing to this resilience.
The overwhelmingly positive response to AG FEST, with consistent calls for the event to be held annually, underscores its success in bridging the gap between farming and town populations. The event not only provided a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the agricultural industry but also raised awareness about food production, environmental sustainability and the importance of supporting local agriculture.
The District Council of Yankalilla congratulates Fleurieu AG FEST for its remarkable achievements. We extend our appreciation to all sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers and community members who contributed to the success of this impactful event.
Active Citizenship Award - The Myponga Reservoir parkrun Volunteers
The Myponga Reservoir parkrun Volunteers embody the spirit of active citizenship through their positive impact on health, community and inclusivity.
Myponga Reservoir parkrun, launched on April 9th, 2022, has become a cornerstone for health and well-being in our local region. These free, weekly community events take place every Saturday morning at 8 am, offering a welcoming and inclusive environment for individuals to walk or run a timed five kilometre course.
The parkrun experience transcends the traditional notion of running, embracing participants regardless of whether they walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. In the heart of the Myponga Reservoir Reserve, this parkrun has not only promoted physical fitness but has also showcased our region and fostered a sense of community among diverse individuals who may not ordinarily come together.
What sets Myponga Reservoir parkrun apart is its commitment to inclusivity. Notable examples include Rolf Schmidt, a blind runner, and his guide, Craig White, who took part in Event #16 on Saturday, July 23rd, 2022, finding the hilly course challenging yet immensely enjoyable. Additionally, the parkrun has accommodated wheelchair users, with individuals taking advantage of the electric-assisted all-terrain wheelchair provided by the District Council of Yankalilla.
The Myponga Reservoir parkrun has not only enabled people to improve their fitness but has also served as a platform for individuals to connect with others, whether as runners, walkers, or volunteers. The event's success is a testament to the 134 different volunteers who dedicate their time, taking it in turns to be one of the six volunteers required each week to make the parkrun possible.
The inclusive spirit extends beyond the run itself, as participants and volunteers often gather at a local coffee place to socialise after each event. Myponga Reservoir parkrun has become a community hub, attracting not only locals but also tourist parkrunners from near and far, including interstate and sometimes even overseas events.
The District Council of Yankalilla congratulates the Myponga Reservoir parkrun Volunteers for their exceptional contribution to health, community building and inclusivity, making them well-deserved recipients of the 2024 Active Citizenship Award.
Mayor’s Award – Peter Filsell
Peter’s remarkable contributions (over approximately two decades) have demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and selfless service to the community. This makes Peter a standout candidate for the 2024 Mayor’s Award.
For over 20 years, Peter has been a pivotal leader of the Yankalilla Interchurch Council, playing a key role in the success of the annual Community Carols Program. This beloved event brings people together to experience the spirit of Christmas, sing carols and enjoy a picnic. Peter's tireless efforts include organising the entire event and conducting rehearsals for the participating musicians.
Peter's commitment extends to serving on various committees, including the Yankalilla Interchurch Council, St James Anglican Church, 5CY (Five Churches of Yankalilla), Yankalilla & Districts Lions Club, Yankalilla Memorial Park, and Yankalilla Hockey Club. His volunteer work with St John’s Ambulance Service from 1980 to 1988 further highlights his longstanding dedication to community service.
A proactive community leader, Peter consistently takes the initiative to apply for grants on behalf of the organisations he represents, showcasing his commitment to securing resources for community projects. His recent initiative, the 'It Takes A Village' event, designed to celebrate Children's Week 2023, attracted approximately 150 families who enjoyed free activities at the Yankalilla Lions Park.
Peter's immense contribution to the community is characterised by his unwavering dedication, always volunteering, providing expertise to fellow community members and motivating others to collaborate for meaningful events and outcomes.
The District Council of Yankalilla is honoured to recognise Peter Filsell with the 2024 Mayor’s Award, a fitting tribute to his outstanding leadership and enduring commitment to the well-being of the Yankalilla community.
Deputy Mayor’s Award – Ash and Cassie Edwards
This year’s Deputy Mayor’s Award celebrates two incredible individuals who exemplify the true spirit of our community. We are not just acknowledging Cassie and Ash Edwards’ achievements in bringing back the much-loved Normanville New Year’s Eve Pageant and Fireworks; we are celebrating the values they embody – passion, unwavering commitment, determination and a profound sense of responsibility towards community wellbeing.
Cassie and Ash have joined other community groups, such as Rotary, Lions and the Community Garden, and bring a youthfulness, enthusiasm and practical understanding of what is important in the community today.
Cassie has exceptional organisational skills and a thorough eye for detail, which is an invaluable asset to the multiple tasks she undertakes. Meanwhile, Ash brings a lightness to his volunteering roles, as well as being a reliable problem solver seeking solutions that benefit as many people as possible. Both of these generous people have a combined willingness to say yes and a wonderful sense of humour making them well-liked by all who have the pleasure of working with them.
The Normanville New Year’s Eve Pageant and Fireworks have become a hallmark of our community, bringing the colour and laughter of the parade, and spectacular fireworks, which would rival those of our city friends. We are indebted to Cassie and Ash’s tireless efforts in bringing a team together to deliver such a successful event.
So, it is with great pleasure that the District Council of Yankalilla presents this award to these exceptional individuals. May their dedication continue to inspire us and may we all strive to contribute to the betterment of our community.