The Wattle Range Council has officially announced its 2022 Australia Day awards.

Key points:

  • Among the award winners is Fiona McDonald, for her service to the community through the Millicent Gymnastics Club 
  • The Young Citizen of the Year says her loves her job and finds it rewarding
  • The awards will be presented at breakfast functions on Australia Day

The awards are presented to members of the community in four categories: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Event of the Year and Active Citizenship.

This year’s Citizens of the Year are Maurie Puiatti, Mary Anne Stuckey and Kathy Fennell.

Carol Grbich won the award for Active Citizenship, while the Community Event winners are Millicent Geoventure 2020 and Stand Like Stone Fashion Market.

Winner of Young Citizen of the Year Fiona McDonald, manager and head coach at the Millicent Gymnastics Club, said she was thrilled to receive the award.

“It’s just really great to be recognised. I went into it, not hoping to get any awards, I just wanted to help kids and families be involved in the sport,” she said.

“To get an award is just an extra bonus for me.”

Ms Mcdonald said she loved her job.

“The most rewarding part is offering the sport for people in the community and educating them on all the benefits they can get out of it,” she said.

“I did a lot of volunteer work for gymnastics, just because I loved it and to be offered a full-time position where I can get paid for doing something I love is just great.”

The Millicent Gymnastics Club is managed by Young Citizen of the Year Fiona McDonald. (Supplied: Fiona McDonald)

Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll praised Ms McDonald’s work.

“Young Citizen of the Year Award winner Fiona MacDonald is committed to gymnastics and really empowers young people through gymnastics,” he said.

Councillor Noll said the award was important for the community.

“The contribution and service these hardworking individuals provide in our Wattle Range Council community is being acknowledged through this process,” he said.

“There is a wide range of people who commit to our community and just make it a better place to live and work.”

The awards will be presented at Australia Day breakfast functions on Wednesday, January 26 at venues including Jubilee Park in Millicent and War Memorial Park, Church Street, Penola.