Australia Day award winnners

Congratulations to all our winners recognised as part of Council's 2020 Australia Day Awards.

Citizen of the Year - Julie Combe

Personal experience has inspired Julie Combe and her supporters to raise over $500,000 for cancer patients in the Barossa.

After supporting her husband Roy in his battle against lung cancer, Julie became the founding member of Barossa Area Fundraisers for Cancer (BAFFC).

The organisation is now in its 11th year, turning donations and fundraising into practical help for local people living with cancer.

This support is far-reaching, from medical and palliative care equipment to programs that give comfort, dignity and quality of life to cancer sufferers.

Julie also advocated for a regional McGrath breast care nurse, which was achieved in 2010.

As BAFFC president, Julie says she is privileged to be the face and voice for her dedicated committee and volunteers.

Event and fundraising coordinator Jo Feltus describes Julie as an inspirational leader.

“Jules as president gives us such balance and friendship. We all work together like a big wheel and we are all a spoke with a role to do,” says Jo.

Young Citizen of the Year - Ollie Sharp

A self-taught musician and singer-songwriter, Olivia Sharp uses her talent to support a wide range of community and fundraising events benefitting people in need.

Ollie has performed in support of the Cancer Council, RSPCA, Vinnies Christmas Appeal, Impact Church, Angaston Christmas Concert and local community Christmas events.

Also a creative writer, Ollie continues to develop her storytelling skills through original music.

In 2019 she was a Triple J Unearthed finalist and was invited to showcase at RAW, an independent arts organisation that shines a light on independent talent.

Her maturity and kind and caring nature have been recognised with a Headmaster Scholarship and at the 2019 Young Achiever Awards, in which she was a finalist.

Community Project of the Year - Reconciliation Barossa

What began as an annual Reconciliation Week event in 2009 has grown into a series of Reconciliation Barossa activities to promote cultural understanding and recognition of First People’s culture in the region.

The small group of volunteers punched above its weight in 2019, delivering a range of events to foster education and relationship building between our Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community.

Key achievements include the Reconciliation Day event at Barossa Bushgardens, which involved three First Nation traditional owner groups and attracted 300 community members and students. The Black Screen event at Nuriootpa Soldiers Memorial Hall was highly successful, showcasing indigenous film makers, actors and stories.

Reconciliation Barossa has also played a role as a resource and connection point within and for the community.

Community Event of the Year - Lyndoch CFS demonstration 

A community event led by Lyndoch CFS was a great success in educating the community about the emergency response to critical incidents.

Lyndoch CFS lieutenant Shane Emms coordinated the event with SAPOL, Major Crash, SA Ambulance Service and local CFS brigades, staging a demonstration vehicle fire and vehicle accident rescue to highlight the role of each agency.

They also provided practical advice on household fires and what steps people can take to reduce risk.

The event featured 50 emergency service volunteers and attracted over 200 people.

Shane, who has been an active and dedicated member of the CFS for 27 years, is recognised for his efforts to coordinate the event logistics and communications in order to deliver a successful, community-focused event.