PENOLA residents celebrated the dedication of community members over the weekend at the town’s annual Australia Day breakfast and award ceremony.
Members of the Penola Lions Club fired up the barbecue from 8am as residents and visitors flocked to Penola War Memorial Park for the event.
While light rain affected the attendance of the day, guests were treated to a hearty breakfast of fried eggs, bacon and sausages.
The formalities started at 9am, with master of ceremonies Peter Muller leading the crowd in singing the national anthem.
Riddoch Ward councillors Dean Burrow and Rick Paltridge presented Penola’s three Wattle Range award recipients with certificates at the presentation ceremony.
In presenting the citizen of the year award to Penola stalwart Margaret Muller, Cr Paltridge praised the long-time voluntary commitment of the former teacher.
“Ms Muller has played a significant role in the Penola community and the broader community of the Limestone Coast for many years,” Mr Paltridge said.
“She has made important contributions to the Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre, The Penola Branch of the National Trust, Penola District Cultural Fund,
Penola High School and is an original member of the Penola Festival now the Penola-Coonawarra Arts Festival.”
Cr Paltridge said the efforts of young citizen of the year Brooke Hutchesson were inspiring and demonstrated strong leadership.
“Ms Hutchesson has demonstrated her pride in her Australian citizenship through her involvement in Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies,” he said.
“Starting in Year 9, Ms Hutchesson read a piece based on her personal research at the Penola High School Anzac Day ceremony commemoration and culminating in 2019 when she co-represented Penola High School at the town observance.”
Cr Burrow said the Pink Up Penola event, which raised more than $45,000 for the McGrath Foundation, was an incredible display of community collaboration.
“What started out as a small fundraiser and awareness event became the most successful event for the year,” Mr Burrow said.
“A small committee of enthusiastic and talented ladies decided to pink up Penola during October to ensure everyone in our community was aware of the need to be vigilant about having regular breast screenings.”
Well-known resident David Marcus was presented with the Penola Lions Club senior citizen of the year award for his decades of service to the town’s sporting community.
