THREE outstanding Penola residents will be the toast of the town today as the community gathers for its 2019 Australia Day celebrations.
John Heyward, Gorgia Robbie and Kevin Jarred will accept their respective Australia Day citizen of the year, young citizen of the year and the Penola Lions Club senior of the year accolades during this weekend’s public event.
To be held at Penola War Memorial Park from 8am, the event will include a free breakfast provided by the Lions Club before the award presentations.
The three recipients – selected through a nomination process held by Wattle Range Council – have shown exemplary service to the community through charities, sporting clubs and other ventures.
The face of the Royal Oak Hotel for more than 60 years, Mr Heyward has been a valued member of the Penola and Coonawarra community from a young age.
Although he has recently stepped down from his position at the popular establishment, he continues to be present in the region.
Ms Robbie finished her secondary studies at Penola High School in 2018 and in her final year was awarded dux of the school, received a student citizenship award from the Order of Australia Association of South Australia, The Barker Shield Award for academic achievement and an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 94.20.
Her academic achievements in 2018 were complimented by her charitable work with the Penola Football Netball Club and Meals on Wheels.
“I have always had a lot to do with the footy club so I spend a lot of time helping out wherever I can,” she said.
“This year I also started volunteering at Meals on Wheels through school which has been really great.
“I think it’s important to do things that help others in our community – I never thought I would get an Australia Day award for it though.”
Nominated by the Greenrise Advisory Committee for his, Mr Jarred was the perfect fit for the senior of the year.
The main driving force behind the Greenrise Arboretum, he has overseen establishment of the project.
Now almost 20 years later the arboretum is thriving with plots of around 120 species of trees and even a community of koalas.
Mr Jarred has also been a valued member of the Penola Show Society and is a previous grand champion rose winner.
His dedication to the beautification and maintenance of Penola and surrounds has shown true pride in his community.
