2009 Murray & Mallee Winners

Riverland Youth Theatre is a vibrant youth arts organisation that shares excellent relationships with young people, schools and community organisations in the region. The Wireless Voices project is a myriad of stories based on real and imaginative experiences of isolated regional youth told by hundreds of young people from across the Riverland and Mallee. A cast of locals worked together over eight weeks to bring the story to life for a live performance and broadcast in the Riverland. Recorded and produced by ABC Local Radio, the play was presented nationally as a series of ten episodes during the Come Out Festival.

Murraylands Training & Employment has provided the region with an outstanding level of service for many years. The company coordinated the Outstanding Apprentice & Trainee of the Year Awards function in May 2009, which enabled the community to recognise local workers and their employers. The company has shown significant growth over the last year, and has demonstrated fantastic dedication and willingness to service its clients and the best interests of the community.

While T & R Pastoral trades with the world, its roots are still firmly placed in the heart of the community. T & R Pastoral has shown great commitment to the local community and is a significant employer in the region with 1300 staff, making it the biggest regional employer in South Australia. The company’s dedication to the region over the past year has assisted in ensuring business confidence in the region.

The Morgan Cadell Community Transport Service are a group of volunteers who manage and operate a door to door transport service to and from medical appointments for the residents of Morgan, Cadell and surrounding districts. The service is vital in ensuring residents can continue to live in the region, rather than leave their homes to live closer to medical services. The group has also made outstanding efforts to fundraise for its projects and operations.

Anthony and Rachel Hartwell have volunteered their time to establish a social inclusion project to enable nine disengaged youths from the region to play football for the Karoonda Football Club. After learning the youths were keen to play but were restricted by financial difficulties, Anthony and Rachel sought funding to provide them with football uniforms and food before and after the game. Anthony and Rachel also volunteer their time to transport the youths to and from games and training sessions.

The new Pike River Development in the Riverland aims to provide environmentally sustainable tourism accommodation for visitors to the region. The development will be highly self-sufficient with a full water capture and power production system in place. It will also house Australia’s first and largest privately owned sunfarm to generate energy for the site. The Pike River Woolshed has shown leadership and responsibility in its field by working in the best interests of the environment and the community.

Banrock Station Wine and Wetland Centre is a leading eco tourism destination that continues to promote sustainability by utilising solar power, harvesting rainfall and operating on zero waste with minimal environmental impact. The centre’s tourism products now include four self-guided interpretive walking trails around a restored wetland as well as menus showcasing Riverland regional produce.

Matthew is one of Australia’s rising cyclists, showing personal sacrifice and dedication to achieve success. Matthew has achieved a significant number of accolades over the past twelve months, most notably winning the junior and senior Riverland Sports Person of the Year in 2008. Matthew has acted as an inspiring role model for other young people in the region.

The Swan Reach and Districts Museum has achieved significant growth over the past three years, increasing numbers of visitors by 63% and doubling its volunteer base. The museum has also completed the redevelopment of its display areas, with further expansion in progress. The museum has a positive impact on the local community by generating tourism, employment and a place to share local pride.

Jeremy has shown outstanding initiative as the SRC President of Lameroo Regional Community School this year by organising a fundraiser for victims of the Victorian Bushfires. As part of his fundraiser, Jeremy and fellow students took part in a 45 kilometre walk to the Victorian border to raise funds for the bushfire victims.