PROUD community members congregated in Penola’s War Memorial Park to celebrate Australia Day and acknowledge the town’s deserving citizen’s of the year.
Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi thanked all those who gave their time without obligation to the community for their tireless efforts, explaining the awards aimed to acknowledged the high level of volunteerism.
“We are so blessed to have so many volunteers in the Wattle Range Council, in many different sectors such as sport, schools, parks, museums, service clubs and emergency services,” Mr Gandolfi said.
“Without these motivated people, many events and activities would not occur.”
Guest speaker, Penola High School principal Ngaire Benfell talked about her travels around Australia and the memorable time spent as principal at Pipalyatjara Anangu School, located in the Tri-State Corner.
“I had the most challenging and rewarding experience of my life in South Australia following winning a position at Pipalyatjara Anangu School in 2013,” Ms Benfell said.
“For the first time in my life I felt as if I was living in someone else’s country.”
She said she learned first hand the first Australians had a strong spiritual connection to the land.
“It is fantastic that we have so many different ways of seeing and knowing the world,” Ms Benfell said.
The principal said it was the younger generation who taught her it was not about how you look, or who you are or what you have – it is about how you feel that made you Australian.
The joint young citizens of the year, Aliza Pfitzner and Ella Kain were thereafter presented with their awards by Wattle Range Councillor Rob Thornett.
Recipient Aliza Pfitzner said it was a great honour to receive the recognition.
“Like many others who had received this award before Ella and I, our efforts are not driven by the recognition or accolades – but from the passion to shape our community in a positive way,” Ms Pfitzner said.
Ms Pfitzner thanked the Penola community, reflecting on the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child”.
“It is true, many people have influenced me greatly, and now I am an adult ready to leave the village and take with me the memories and what I have learned from being part of the Penola community,” she said.
Recipient Ella Kain said it was an honour to accept the award with her friend as together they had achieved many great things in 2017.
“I am very thankful for being acknowledged for my contributions to the community, and I hope being recognised assists others in reaching their potential in the school and wider community,” Ms Kain said.
Citizen of the year recipient Sydney (Snow) Merrett was grateful for the community’s support in assisting him to help raise significant funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.
“The greatest thing one can hand to the next generation is not to be selfish – cooperate with all people have awareness and consideration – I guess that spells love,” Mr Merrett said.
The Lions Club Senior Citizen of the Year award went to much loved couple Keith and Dorrie Bennier and was presented to them by Penola Lions president John Stayte.
“Keith and Dorrie Bennier thoroughly deserve to be recognised for their contribution not only to Penola but also to Nangwarry and Kalangadoo,” Mr Stayte said.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the pair to be recognised by the community for their great team effort over the last six decades.”
