FROM little things big things grow, which is exactly what happened with the Pink Up Penola campaign last October.
Throughout the month Penola was decorated in pink as the community banded together in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
More than $45,000 was raised for the McGrath Foundation to help secure more breast screen nurses.
The nine-person committee’s success has continued with the month-long fundraising drive receiving the Wattle Range’s Australia Day Community Event Award.
Committee member Angela Winter said the group never dreamed the idea would be so widely supported.
“We don’t see our event as any more outstanding than other events in 2019 because every event is special and important,” Ms Winter said.
“There are so many great causes that need support, not always financially but for awareness too.
“We think that was our greatest achievement, the awareness.”
Businesses, community groups, schools and individuals banded to raise funds and awareness during the month-long campaign.
The busy schedule of events included a colour run, pink donut day, meditation and fitness fun.
Alongside the significant funds raised, 237 women attended the BreastScreren SA van which visited Penola for the first time.
Out of this 86 women had their first mammogram.
“This was fantastic for the breast cancer nurses and our town,” she said.
“Our commitment to the cause saw a donation to the hospital which in turn saw adequate power installed and BreastScreen SA bringing their service to Penola for the first time.”
The event was nominated the community, which Ms Winter said demonstrated the popularity and importance of the event.
“We have also received a special thank you from Glenn McGrath himself following our donation to the foundation,” she said.
“The success of Pink Up Penola was thanks to the wider community, schools, businesses, donors, attendees and supporters.
“Everyone should be as proud of this award as we are.”
The event’s organising committee will receive the award at Wattle Range Council’s Australia Day celebrations on Sunday.
The group will be joined by Citizen of the Year Award winner and community stalwart Margaret Muller and Young Australian of the Year recipient Brooke Hutchesson.
Dedicated community member David Marcus will receive the Penola Lion Club’s Senior Citizen of the Year award for decades of service to sporting clubs.
Wattle Range mayor Des Noll congratulated all award winners and encouraged residents to attend the Sunday morning event.
“Australia Day is about being a vibrant and active regional community where they celebrate together,” he said.
“It recognises what the day stands for in terms of inclusiveness and a multicultural society where everyone comes together as one.”
The celebrations will start at 8am at the Penola War Memorial Park, with the Penola Lions Club cooking a barbecue breakfast for attendees.
The official ceremony will start at 9am.
