The Rural City of Murray Bridge celebrated local heroes on 26 January with three outstanding citizens receiving Australia Day Awards and one community group being acknowledged for exceptional events.

Cathy Smith has been named the Rural City of Murray Bridge Citizen of the Year for a lifetime dedicated to community service. This pillar of the community has inspired many through her work in promoting social justice and as a Justice of the Peace. She has worked tirelessly in not for profit organisations such as Uniting Communities and Community Lifestyles, now working for Go Getters; assisting those on NDIS to receive appropriate services.

The Young Citizen award went to Cheska Nacario for exhibiting active citizenship by volunteering her time in the Youth Council since 2019. While spearheading execution of events for young people in the Rural City of Murray Bridge.  Cheska played a pivotal role in the in promoting Kick Start Loans; a program that gave our youth an opportunity to apply for small interest free loans.

The Active Citizenship award winner is Geoff Gale. As president of the Murray Bridge Agricultural and Horticultural Society during 2021 Geoff, turned the fortune of the Murray Bridge Agricultural & Horticultural Society around and culminating his tenure with a nationally acclaimed Murray Bridge Show.

Community Event of the year was awarded to Cars and Coffee Murray Bridge. This event brings together members of the communities who share a passion for vehicles from different ages.

SUMMARY of Australia Day Award Recipients

Cathy Smith

2022 RURAL CITY OF MURRAY BRIDGE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Cathy has lived in Murray Bridge for 23 years with her family. She has worked in many not for profit organisations such as Uniting Communities and Community Lifestyles whilst now working for Go Getters; assisting those on NDIS to receive appropriate services.

Currently Cathy is;

• Chairperson of the MBHS Governing Council and
• Chairperson of the MB Suicide Prevention Network
• Lead person - MB Disability Network
• Past Chairperson and current member of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo working group
• RCMB Volunteer – in such events as the All Culture Fest

In the past, Cathy has served on the RCMB Community Advisory Committee, as President of the Galaxy Basketball Club, as a member of the RSL, as well as various kindergarten, Auskick and school committees

Cathy also tirelessly serves the community as a Justice of the Peace.

Cathy is a pillar of the community; she is a positive role model to all those she touches, she is inclusive, respectful and knowledgeable. She leads the way in mentoring and the promotion of social justice.

Cheska Nacario

2022 YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by Thomas Foods International)

Cheska has been actively involved in the Youth Council since 2019. Cheska assisted in the planning and execution of events for youth in The Rural City of Murray Bridge and was vital in creating the Kick Start Loans program which gave young people an opportunity to apply for a small interest free loan of up to $2000 to start or grow their small business.

Cheska has demonstrated active citizenship by volunteering her time to not only be a member of the Youth Council but be present at the events they hold. These events that the Youth Council have hosted have enhanced community life by providing youth with something to do whether it was on a weekend or during the school holidays.

Geoff Gale

2022 RECIPIENT OF THE AWARD FOR ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP (Sponsored by Adrian Pederick MP – Member for Hammond)

Geoff was President of the Murray Bridge Agricultural & Horticultural Society for 2021 and took it on when it was faced with financial problems and during difficult COVID-19 time. He bought the community together to reinvigorate the Society, bringing it success, holding a great dinner, engaging the Society with a whole new group of younger people and eventually holding a nationally recognised excellent Murray Bridge Show.  He completed his term with the Society financially secure. Showing a profit of $30,000. Geoff has spent his life in community service from early days on Jervois Tennis Club moving to Monarto in 1970 where he undertook roles in various sporting groups and community groups. He assisted in the establishment and ongoing Murray Bridge Trotting Club and was an active member in the 1965-1970 Murray Bridge Agricultural & Horticultural Society helping building the showground facilities we now enjoy.

Cars and Coffee Murray Bridge

2022 COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by Regional Development Australia – Murray lands & Riverland)

Over the last couple of years Joanne Lovell has organised the Cars and Coffee - Murray Bridge event on the first Sunday of each month. Initially it was held in the local Coles carpark with 60 to 150 local cars on display for people to view. Due to increased interest Joanne approached the Rural City of Murray Bridge and applied to hold the monthly event down at the riverfront which allowed for the event to grow and also allowed easier access for the cars and visitors.

Since the beginning of 2021 the free event has been held down at the beautiful riverfront showcasing Sturt Reserve and all it has to offer

This monthly event gives a diverse group of people the opportunity to show off their pride of joy, their vehicles whilst engaging members of the community who have an interest in cars.

Whilst the weather can sometimes influence the number of cars on display there have been times when over 260 cars have been on display. The event brings visitors from outside our region who witness the amazing transformation of Murray Bridge in particular the great facilities at Sturt Reserve. Joanne live streams all events through the Facebook page so for anyone who can’t attend are able to admire the 200 plus cars on display.

Australia Day Awards is an annual event. You can visit the page here for more information.