The Tumby Bay District Council hosted its 2026 Australia Day community celebrations on the foreshore on Monday, 26 January.
Breakfast was served by the Lions Club of Tumby Bay, locals getting to mingle and find a place to settle on the lawns before the official ceremonies took place.
Mayor Geoff Churchett welcomed all to the day and was presiding officer as he officiated two new citizens to Australia; Emma Kilgour and Hamilton Orr.
The new citizens made the pledge to Australia and its people.
Also pledging to share in Australia’s democratic beliefs, respect the rights and liberties of all and uphold and obey the laws in this country.
Ms Kilgour and Mr Orr received their citizenship certificates, and a Kangaroo Paw plant from the council.
Mayor Churchett then presided over awarding the Districts outstanding citizens, firstly, to Tumby Bay Citizen of the Year; Dion LeBrun.
Mr Churchett described Mr LeBrun as always speaking highly of the Tumby Bay community, and having a knack for getting people involved.
“I know this first hand, after he convinced me to jump off the jetty on the shortest day of the year, an experience I didn’t think I was ever going to survive,” Mr Churchett said to a laughing crowd.
As well as being president of the Tumby Bay Progress Association, Mr LeBrun was the EP representative for the SA Farmers Federation Grain Industry Committee, he re-started the local Viterra committee, has been a member of the Bendigo Bank promotional committee since 2023, volunteers with Tacoma, has organised and led community events and activities, volunteered for the jetty committee and more.
Mr LeBrun accepted the award humbly, honouring the town of Tumby Bay and with gratitude to the community.
“I do consider myself to be just a small cog in a much larger wheel of passionate community members who are stepping up to volunteer their time and effort to community good projects and make it a better place,” he said.
“My message is everyone is capable of doing it (volunteering), it’s just a matter of stepping, deciding you want to do it and working with a great bunch of equally passionate people to get good things going.
“I really do encourage the next generation to join a positive dynamic group like the Tumby Bay Progress Association, work with your local state and federal governments and make the next 100 years of Tumby Bay what you – the next generations – want it to be.”
Join us for a relaxed and meaningful Australia Day morning as we come together to recognise community spirit, celebrate achievement, and officially welcome our newest Australian citizens.
Georgia Stratford was awarded the Young Citizen of the Year Award, an award that had a handful of nominations.
Mr Churchett said Ms Stratford is just 22-years-old, but has made her mark on the community through the school, her volunteering and a multitude of volunteer roles.
“A role model for the younger generation, she amplifies active citizenship through her inclusive, respectful and welcoming demeanour,” he said.
“She has a unique ability to engage with ranges of ages through her caring, empathetic and considered manner.
Ms Stratford has a successful career in teaching, trained on the ground throughout the Tumby Bay district, she has also been a player, coach, umpire, delegate and leader at the Eyre United Football and Netball Club.
“Georgia also received several awards when attending the Tumby Bay Area School including a Zonta award, Year 12 Australian Defence Force Leadership Award for her attitude and effort and also was Dux of the school and in ‘23 she earned the club person of the year at the Eyre United Netball Club,” Mr Churchett said.
Ms Stratford said she was not expecting to win the award.
“I think this award reflects people who believed in me long before I believed in myself,” she said.
“For me, it’s about doing what I can to serve and give back to the community while inspiring others around me to do the same.”
Senior Citizen of the Year, Lizzie Dodd has been a member of the Tumby Bay RSL sub-branch since 2019.
Mr Churchett said Lizzie has held a position on the management committee and that of the kitchen coordinator.
“She also arranges functions at the club such as funerals, birthdays and the Biggest Morning Tea, just to name a few,” he said.
“Lizzie is a member of the Tumby Bay Hospital and Urringa Auxiliary.”
Ms Dodd is well known for her catering ability and sense of humour.
“Lizzie has been a member of the Country Women’s Association and is a valued member of the Ungarra branch, she’s been involved as secretary and catering and is the first to put her hand up when something needs to be done.”
Ms Dodd is also the chairperson of the National Trust Museum, is a member of the Lipson Progress Association, and has been involved with the Ungarra community and Eyre United Football Club.
Ms Dodd thanked the people in the community that awarded her, especially the RSL, before a crowd member let everyone know it was also her birthday.
“Volunteering is a really good thing to do, and we’re always looking for volunteers for everything, especially young people, that would be really great,” she said.
Ross Hudson was awarded the Active Citizen Award for 2026, for his involvement with the growth of the Community Garden and his membership and involvement in the Tumby Bay National Trust Museum.
Mr Churchett said Mr Hudson was passionate about the history of Tumby Bay and its surrounds.
“Tumby Bay History Page on Facebook is a demonstration of his research and his recordings,” he said.
“Ross and others at the museum have also assisted many clubs with the electronic recording of their clubs history and records.
“Ross is also an active participant in the Lipson Progress Association; he attends meetings regularly.”
Mr Hudson also served as a councillor on the Tumby Bay District Council for several years.
The Community Event of the Year was awarded to the Tumby Bay District Lions Club Christmas Pageant.
Mr Churchett said as a former member of the Lion’s Club in Kimba, he understood how clubs like this operated.
“The Tumby Bay and District Lion’s Club work hard to meet the needs of the community, rain or shine, the Lion’s Club will be there,” he said.
“This group is active all year round in the community, the Christmas Pageant brings people together, some who have not seen each other in a long time.
“Funds raised by the Lions Club are put back into the community by way of donations and or gifts… They also make pretty good donuts.”
Club president Dave Pearson said the Lions were a service club, and the Australia Day breakfast was the group’s second catering gig that weekend.
“We serve, often we fly a bit under the radar and that’s perhaps the way we like to do it,” he said.
“One of the ways to serve the community is to have a little fun through the Christmas Pageant, and that’s an all hands on deck event for our club so I club the club for their efforts.
“I particularly thank our convenor Wilbur Williams who does a wonderful job every year, so I’m asking Wilbur to accept this award on behalf of the club, thank you.”
Ungarra Community Cafe received a Certificate of Achievement, operating twice weekly from the Ungarra Hall, the cafe offers a meaningful place for people across the district to meet.
“The Ungarra Community Cafe strengthens mental health, reduces social isolation and cultivates a sense of belonging,” Mr Churchett commended.
“Its constant operation over the decade, despite a small volunteer base, has made it an iconic part of the town’s identity.”
Eden Telfer accepted the award on behalf of the cafe, thanking a Bendigo Community Bank grant that helped to upgrade the coffee machine a few years ago.
“The cafe was started to provide a place for people to be together, and it’s become quite the community hub in Ungarra, eleven years later it still is because of all the support you guys give for coming to lunch, morning tea or coffee,” she said.
“We’ve been able to support lots of community groups by donating the profits to them, so thank you to everyone for all of your support over the years and keep coming out to Ungarra.”
