IT will be a family affair at the Mount Gambier City Australia Day ceremony with a mother-daughter duo winning both the citizen of the year and young citizen of the year awards.
Lorenza McMahon and her daughter Caitlin will receive the prestigious awards on Sunday following years of dedicated community service.
The notable achievement follows Ms McMahon’s son Joseph winning the young citizen of the year award in 2019.
A volunteer at both the St John Ambulance Service and Sunset Community Kitchen, Ms McMahon said her desire to help others started at an early age.
She said her parents instilled a spirit of selflessness and giving back to the community.
“Mum would talk about Grandma who helped out in the community and the attitude was ‘you just help people, that is what you do’,” Ms McMahon said.
“We just grew up doing the same and have brought our children up this way.”
Following in her mother’s footsteps, Caitlin has served the community through five years of volunteering at the Sunset Community Kitchen.
For the last 18 months, Caitlin has served as an event medic with St Johns along with commitment to various sporting club and school-based leadership roles.
The young student was recently recognised at Government House and presented an Order of Australia Association SA Branch Student Citizenship Award.
Caitlin also dedicates her time to volunteering at the Mount Gambier Hospital and enjoys visiting patients to offer them company and someone to talk to.
Despite a long list of achievements to her name and a demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of others, Caitlin remains humble about the selfless work her family undertake.
“My mum has been a big influence, we have always volunteered in various groups from a young age and as a family are passionate about helping our community,” she said.
Other award winners on the day will include senior citizen of the year Janet Bellinger, while BrickGambier was named as community event of the year.
Ms Bellinger has been an active volunteer in the Limestone Coast community since she was 14 years old and will celebrate 20 years with as a Lioness in March.
Through the Lioness Club, Janet also helps with the library books in home program, Sunset Community Kitchen and Foodbank and has volunteered her time and expertise to help plan and run community events.
Ms Bellinger has also volunteered her time to a number of causes around the Limestone Coast through pipe bands, highland dancing and debutante balls.
The City of Mount Gambier Australia Day event starts at 7.30am with breakfast on sale and entertainment by regional performers.
The award ceremony starts at 9.15am with the Australian National Anthem and flag raising.
