A LARGE crowd descended on the Lake Bonney foreshore in Barmera on Tuesday to recognise outstanding members of the Berri Barmera community and welcome a group of new citizens.
The Berri Barmera Council held its annual Australia Day celebrations, beginning with a community walk at 6.45am, followed by a free breakfast and the awards and citizenship ceremonies.
Berri Barmera Mayor Peter Hunt said the event was “one of the most successful Australia Day events that we’ve had for a number of years”.
“It was good to see so many people attending, and that’s what Australia Day is all about,” he said.
“We have our Barmera, Glossop and Monash centenaries this year, so this is a great start.
“It’s really good to see people enjoy Australia Day and what the day is all about.”
Sue Webber, of Barmera, was named Citizen of the Year for providing more than 40 years of service to the Barmera Girl Guides, as well as her volunteer work across the community.
“I was very excited and totally shocked,” she said.
“I love being involved with the Barmera community, and Girl Guides has always been the thing for me.
“I’m really passionate about it and I love doing it – people ask me to help out and I’m more than happy to do that.
“It was lovely to have so many people here, and I had all of my family and friends and all of my Guides come along as well which was really lovely.”
Former Glossop High School student, Deni Eleftheriadis received the Young Citizen of the Year award, the Riverland Primary Schools’ Music Festival was named Community Event of the Year, and the Riverland South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy was honoured with the Building a Better Community Award.
Mr Hunt also led 10 new citizens in the ‘pledge of commitment’ and gave them their citizenship certificates.
“It was exciting to have so many new citizens,” he said.
“My personal opinion is that these ceremonies should be held on Australia Day or ‘citizenship day’ in September.
“You get more participation and it is great to welcome them at a public event.”
New citizen Ravi Sihaq, who has lived in Barmera for almost five years, said he hoped to become an active member of the local community.
“I thought becoming a citizen would be nice because it would allow me to engage with the community more,” he said.
“When they were giving the Citizen of the Year award, that amazed me and motivated me to do those things, and in the future hopefully the day will come where I can get that award.”