GAWLER’S Australia Day event looked different to other years, however locals were still united across a number of locations to celebrate what it means to be Australian, and acknowledge outstanding achievements.
Rather than the usual Apex Park festivity, members of the public tuned into a virtual ceremony at The Kingsford Hotel, The Exchange Hotel and the Prince Albert Hotel and enjoyed a free breakfast cooked by local service clubs and other volunteers.
Gawler Council’s Australia Day Awards and Citizenship ceremonies kicked off from 8.30am at the Gawler Sport and Community Centre, with more than 100 people in attendance.
Apex Club of Gawler’s Sam Wittwer welcomed event attendees before Member for Light Tony Piccolo gave an address on the importance of home, while raising awareness of local homelessness.
Council’s Australia Day Ambassador for 2021 Dr Naomi Rutten similarly raised awareness on the local mental health crisis and lack of resources available.
Through her position she has been exposed to the “huge amount of work that needs to be done” in the local mental health space and for healing resources.
Gawler Mayor Karen Redman said events like Australia Day offer a platform to raise awareness of important issues.
She thanked all involved in the running of the event before conducting the citizenship ceremony.
About 23 people took the pledge and became Australian citizens, standing proudly for the national anthem, sung by Mark “Crafty” Dean and Mikala Wood.
Ms Redman then presented the Australia Day award winners with their accolades, including Citizen of the Year Gavin Launer, Young Citizen and Corporate of the Year Scarlett Illman,
Community Event of the Year – joint winners: Gawler Cinema Silver Screenings and the Australia Day Awards Breakfast and Community Group of the Year Wheels in Motion.
Leon Budden was also named Gawler Apex Club’s Citizen of the Year.
In a memorable speech, Mr Launer quoted John F Kennedy in saying, “ask not what your council can do for you, but what you can do for the Town of Gawler’s community”.
He encouraged those present to do their bit and volunteer for “great satisfaction”.
