Announcing Our 2026 Citizen of the Year Award Winners

The District Council of Yankalilla is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards. recognising the outstanding individuals and events that make an exceptional contribution to our community and help make our district a great place to live.

The Citizen of the Year Awards are delivered by the Australia Day Council of South Australia, in partnership with the 69 councils across the state. The program celebrates the often-unsung heroes whose everyday contributions build the social and cultural fabric of our communities and make a lasting difference to the lives of others.

These awards recognise people and organisations who have made a noteworthy contribution during the past year and/or provided outstanding service over many years, beyond the scope of normal employment duties. Contributions may span a wide range of areas, including community service, education, health, sport, the arts, environmental stewardship, volunteering, fundraising and charitable work.

Congratulations to our 2026 award recipients:

• Citizen of the Year Award – Sue Speck
• Young Citizen of the Year Award – Nathan Lush
• Community Event of the Year Award – 2024 Normanville New Year’s Eve Pageant & Fireworks
• Active Citizenship Award – Libby Robertson
• Mayor’s Award – Merilyn McLaren

The community is invited to celebrate our award recipients at our Australia Day Celebration at Yankalilla Memorial Park on Monday 26 January 2026. Join us for a BBQ breakfast from 8 am, with official proceedings commencing at 9 am.

Nominations for the Citizen of the Year Awards are accepted year-round – visit Citizen of the Year Awards | Yankalilla District Council for more information.

Citizen of the Year Award – Sue Speck

Sue Speck has been named the 2026 Citizen of the Year, in recognition of her long-standing and wide-ranging volunteer service and her commitment to preserving and enhancing the district’s heritage, environment and community life.

Sue is a long-standing member of the Yankalilla & District Historical Society and has served as President since 2022. In this role, she has driven initiatives that bring local history and heritage to life, including community events, guided visits to historic properties, library talks and participation in the Heritage Fleurieu Coast Festival.

Her dedication to local history also extends to weekly volunteering at the Yankalilla Library, where she provides local history advice and support to residents and visitors researching family connections or property histories within the district. Under Sue’s leadership, the Historical Society continues to be a valued and accessible resource for the wider community.

Sue also makes a significant contribution to environmental stewardship. She volunteers at Council’s Community Nursery and plays a leading role in coordinating the Second Valley environment group, working across local reserves to undertake tree planting and mulching. She also supports environmental initiatives in Wirrina and Cape Jervis, helping to create and maintain attractive, healthy public spaces for community enjoyment.

In addition, Sue is an active member of the Second Valley Progress Association, supporting events such as the annual pétanque tournament and biannual quiz night, as well as fundraising initiatives including container collection and produce donations for the Second Valley market.

Through her tireless volunteering, Sue Speck has strengthened community connections, preserved local heritage and enhanced the natural environment. Her dedication exemplifies the spirit of service and leadership celebrated by the Citizen of the Year Award.

Young Citizen of the Year Award – Nathan Lush

Nathan Lush has been named the 2026 Young Citizen of the Year, in recognition of his strong commitment to community involvement, leadership and his positive influence on younger people across the district.

Nathan is actively involved in local sport, participating as a member of the Yankalilla Hockey Club and the Rapid Bay Cricket Club.  A long-standing member of the Victor Harbor Sea Scouts, Nathan has continued his involvement into adulthood, volunteering as an adult leader for the past three years. In the absence of an active Scouts group in Yankalilla, Nathan provides an important connection for local young people, offering guidance, mentorship and a strong example of service and leadership.

Nathan has also made a significant contribution to the Yankalilla Show over many years. Having previously participated as a sheep exhibitor, he stepped into a steward assistant role this year and became a member of the Show Committee, bringing a valuable youth perspective. His initiative and leadership were instrumental in the introduction of the night show for the first time, including the establishment of a subcommittee and the active engagement of other young people to be involved in this major community event.

Through his dedication to volunteering, sport and community events, Nathan has demonstrated initiative, responsibility and a genuine commitment to strengthening community connections.

Community Event of the Year Award – 2024 Normanville NYE Pageant & Fireworks

The 2024 Normanville New Year’s Eve Pageant & Fireworks has been named the Community Event of the Year, celebrating the extraordinary efforts of the volunteer committee, Rotary Club of Yankalilla and partner organisations who deliver one of the district’s most cherished annual celebrations.

A much-loved tradition for more than two decades, the Normanville New Year’s Eve Pageant and Fireworks brings together residents, holiday homeowners and visitors in a safe, inclusive and family-friendly celebration of community spirit and coastal charm. The event features a colourful street parade of more than 40 community floats, followed by music, food vendors, family activities and a spectacular fireworks display at the Normanville Foreshore.

Revived in 2023 following a COVID hiatus, the event is delivered through a collaborative model led by the Rotary Club of Yankalilla, with support from the District Council of Yankalilla and a dedicated volunteer committee. Despite being a small group, the organisers demonstrate remarkable commitment, skill and community leadership, drawing on strong volunteer networks to ensure the event’s ongoing success.

In 2024, the event attracted more than 5,000 people, highlighting its significance as one of the district’s most well-attended and anticipated community events.

Beyond its celebratory atmosphere, the Pageant delivers significant benefits to the district. In 2024, the event generated an estimated $260,000 in economic return for Normanville, supporting local businesses during the peak holiday period and reinforcing the town’s reputation as a vibrant coastal destination. Just as importantly, the event promotes social inclusion, intergenerational connection and community pride, offering a free, alcohol-controlled environment where people of all ages can celebrate together.

Active Citizenship Award – Libby Robertson

Libby Robertson has been a driving force behind arts and cultural life on the Fleurieu Coast, with a longstanding and deeply valued contribution to community development and creative expression.

As Chair of Festival Fleurieu for many years, Libby has been instrumental in shaping the festival’s vision and success. Her leadership helped guide the festival beyond its origins, expanding its reach across the Fleurieu Coast and into other parts of the Fleurieu Peninsula, strengthening its reputation as a vibrant and inclusive celebration of arts and culture.

Libby’s commitment extends well beyond the festival. As a dedicated volunteer at the Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre, she manages the popular Artist of the Month program, championing local creatives and providing meaningful opportunities for artists to showcase their work. She is also always on hand to help beautify town precincts for major events such as the Tour Down Under and Normanville Christmas celebrations, contributing to a welcoming and vibrant sense of place.

A passionate advocate for artists and the wider arts community, Libby is a proactive member of the Arts & Culture Advisory Group and has driven numerous projects that deliver lasting benefits for community groups and the broader region. Through her ongoing involvement with Festival Fleurieu, she also supports a wide range of other community events, generously sharing her time, knowledge and networks.

Libby is never afraid to step in and assist with facilitating community group strategy sessions and is an active member of Fleurieu Environment Centre, contributing thoughtfully and constructively to community outcomes. She does all this quietly, without fuss or the need for recognition, motivated purely by her love for the community and her desire to help make it a place people truly love living in.

Mayor’s Award - Merilyn McLaren

The Mayor’s Award for 2026 is presented to Merilyn McLaren in recognition of her lifelong dedication to preserving, celebrating and strengthening the Myponga community.

Merilyn has been at the heart of countless community organisations, events and initiatives, making an enduring contribution to the social and cultural fabric of Myponga. Her commitment to recording and sharing local history has ensured the stories, people and places of the town are preserved for future generations. She has compiled and published significant historical resources, including Myponga Primary School Reflections 1883–1986 and the history of the Myponga Netball and Basketball Club, creating invaluable records that might otherwise have been lost.

As the driving force behind the Myponga History Group, Merilyn continues to actively collect, archive and promote the town’s history. She undertakes the extensive work required to make this material accessible to the wider community through careful archiving, cataloguing and the ongoing management of social media and digital collections. Her volunteer work transcribing historic Myponga rate assessment books for the Yankalilla District Historical Society has further enhanced public access to important historical records.

Merilyn has also played a key role in organising Myponga events for the biennial Heritage Fleurieu Coast Festival and has been a longstanding and active member of the Yankalilla District Historical Society, including many years serving as treasurer. Her advocacy was instrumental in ensuring the Myponga cemetery remained in community ownership following the sale of the local church, demonstrating her commitment to protecting places of deep local significance.

In addition to her work in history and heritage, Merilyn has contributed extensively to local schools, sporting clubs and community groups. She has held executive roles across numerous committees, including Myponga Primary School, the Myponga Netball Club, Myponga Community Group and church community groups. As editor of the ‘Myponga Mudlark’, she has generously volunteered her time to research, compile and share community news and stories, keeping residents informed and connected.

A life member of the Myponga Netball Club, Merilyn has also represented the club at a regional level through the Great Southern Netball Association. Known for her humility and generosity, she contributes not for recognition, but out of a genuine love for her community and a deep commitment to helping others.