POPULAR Millicent community volunteer Leon Miels has been named as the Wattle Range Council Australia Day Citizen of the Year for Corcoran Ward.
The other citizen of the year recipients are George Osis (Kintore Ward), John Heyward, Penola (Riddoch Ward) and Robbie Stewart, Kalangadoo (Sorby Adams Ward).
Mr Osis of Southend has long been involved in the coastal community, serving as a volunteer in the Country Fire Service and holding the rank of captain.
The retired crayfisherman made headlines last year when he donated an incredible $250,000 to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The community-minded fishing veteran said his altruism began while as a coordinator of the now defunct Radiator Rally, which saw part proceeds donated to the service.
He said he was surprised to have been nominated for the prestigious award.
“I was a bit shocked when I got a phone call saying I had won,” he said.
“You do not do these kind of things for awards.”
The young citizens of the year are Sam Linton, Millicent (Corcoran Ward), Zoe Moran, Beachport (Kintore Ward) and Gorgia Robbie, Penola (Riddoch Ward).
The community event of the year winners are the Millicent Basketball Junior Tournament (Corcoran Ward), Beachport Inflatable Rescue Boat Carnival (Kintore Ward), the 35th International Beefsteak and Burgundy Convention, Coonawarra (Riddoch Ward) and Kalangadoo’s Lowan Homestead 150th Celebrations (Sorby Adams Ward).
Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll OAM announced the recipients of the 2019 awards yesterday with the decisions made during a confidential portion of the December monthly council meeting in Millicent.
“These awards acknowledge the fantastic contribution and services provided to the community by these hardworking individuals and groups right across our Wattle Range Council area,” Mr Noll said.
“Each one is a worthy recipient, to be congratulated and commended for their awards and indeed their contribution to making Wattle Range a great place to live and work.”
As in past years, the awards will be officially presented at 9am at Australia Day breakfast functions which start at 8am on January 26 at Millicent, Penola, Kalangadoo and
Beachport.
Mr Noll will attend the celebration at Penola to make the Riddoch Ward presentations and deputy mayor Glenn Brown will present the Sorby Adams awards in Kalangadoo, whilst the other awards will be presented by the respective ward elected members at their official functions.
