Australia Day Awards
The District Council of Streaky Bay is proud to announce its 2023 Australia Day Award winners. Contributions from people and groups across a broad range of sectors and across the district have been recognised by the Awards.
Citizen of the Year — Anthony Rosenzweig
Young Citizen of the Year — Shea Lea Hackett
Award for Active Citizenship - Streaky Bay Hospital & Elmhaven Gardeners
Business of the year — Streaky Surf
Community Event of the Year — Family Fish Day, Streaky Bay Tourism & Business Assoc Inc
Streaky Bay resident Anthony Rosenzweig has been awarded the 2023 Citizen of the Year. Anthony was nominated for his contribution to the Streaky Bay Country Fire Service. Anthony has volunteered for an estimated 12 years to the Streaky Bay crew, he is also the Officer for Western Eyre Group which covers the whole Districts stations and stations through to the Western Australia border. Anthony is involved as a Senior CFS leader in fire control, fire safety and many other associated trainings. He has supported the Streaky Bay SES in their roles of Road Crash, Land search, flooding mitigation including sandbagging & pumping out flooded areas of the town, fallen trees & giving logistical support, supported the local Road Safety Council in biannual Mock Road Crash exercises and supports the SA Ambulance with patient lifts. Recently Anthony received the long service medal from the CFS. Anthony also spends time promoting and encouraging people to join the local CFS and trains up new recruits.
Young Citizen of the Year Shea Lea Hackett of Streaky Bay was awarded for her community work, and as an exceptional role model with the Streaky Bay Area School. Shea Lea has been an active member of the senior school SRC at Streaky Bay Area School, where she has held the secretarial position on the committee. Shae Lea has been a wonderful role model for other students and youth within the district in her position as a volunteer within the Streaky Bay Country Fire Service.
The award for active citizenship went to the Streaky Bay Hospital & Elmhaven Gardeners. The group are a group of active enthusiasts who maintain and design the gardens at the Streaky Bay Hospital and Elmhaven Retirement village. The group regularly manicure, plant, mow and generally prune and tidy the area. They have created a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere, with beautiful pops of colours and manicured garden beds for patients and visitors to enjoy. The gardens are regularly commented on and have received great feedback from the community.
Business of the Year winners Streaky Surf is a modern, accessible store for the community and its visitors. The staff are always professional and offer immediate friendly service. Streaky surf constantly provide stunning window displays for the CBD, and a great range of clothing and sporting items.
Streaky Surf has continuously supported the Community in many ways from sponsoring raffles/awards for all schools/kindergarten within the district, sports associations, Skate and Scoot days, community events and many more.
Community Event of the Year went to the Family Fish Day. This free community event - 'Family Fish Day' has been run by a band of volunteers from Streaky Bay Tourism & Business Association Inc, members of the local community and local businesses for 20 years.
Family Fish Day is a popular family fun activity for the community and its visitors, it promotes the excellent fishing of Streaky Bay. Holiday makers often extend their stay to be involved and locals invite family and friends from outside the district to come along and join in the fun. Streaky Bay Tourism & Business Association Inc put up hundreds of dollars annually as the prize money and local business Killa's cater for the event with a sausage sizzle and giveaways such as fishing tackles and rods & reels as major prizes. The local Hotel donates raffle prizes, and local residences assist in welcoming the Anglers and in recording the weight and species of the fish caught on the day. Local couple, Donald and Janet Williams, over numerous years have donated a quality rod and reel for the 'Unluckiest Angler'. The event contributes to the social and economic prosperity within the community, often visitors will extend their stay to attend or participants from out of town will visit and partake, whilst they are here they are beneficial for all local businesses within the town. The last few years the number of female Anglers participating has increased, which promotes gender neutrality and diversity within the community.
District Council of Streaky Bay Mayor, Travis Barber, congratulated all winners and said it was great to see such a broad depth of nominations, which enabled multiple categories to be awarded.
"After the pandemic it has been great to come back together and recognise the wonderful contribution of the individuals, businesses and community groups who have contributed so much to our region. I congratulate all of the winners and thank them for their wonderful contribution" he said.
This year was the first time the community has been able to come together for Australia Day and awards since the start of the pandemic. The day started with the annual breakfast event, followed by the award ceremony, kids activities and concluded with a sausage sizzle lunch. The delivery of the event was supported by the National Australia Day Council and celebrated the theme: "Reflect. Respect. Celebrate. We're all part of the story".
