2026 Citizen of the Year award winners

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Lyndall Schliebs

For outstanding and continued service to the community through volunteering.

Lyndall Schliebs has contributed to the Mount Barker District Council area for many years through steady volunteer service, practical leadership, and a strong commitment to community wellbeing. Her involvement began with her children’s sporting clubs across the Adelaide Hills, particularly in netball and basketball, where she supported teams as coach, administrator, and volunteer. That support has continued through her grandchildren’s sporting activities, reflecting her long-term belief in the role of sport in building connection and confidence.

At St Mark’s Lutheran Church in Mount Barker, Lyndall volunteers with the Mainly Music program, which supports families with preschool-aged children. She plays a key role in the kitchen team, organising supplies, preparing morning tea, supporting other volunteers, and helping create a welcoming environment for parents, grandparents and children. Her consistency and attention to detail help ensure the program runs smoothly each week, and her handmade cards and table settings add a personal touch that families appreciate.

Lyndall’s contribution to the community is particularly evident in Littlehampton, where she has served as Secretary of the Littlehampton Community Association Inc (LCA) for six years. In this role she manages correspondence, meeting records, and event coordination. She has supported the delivery of events such as Carols in the Glebe, Littlehampton’s 175th anniversary celebrations, SALA Festival activities, and annual ANZAC Day and Remembrance services, helping bring residents together for both celebration and commemoration.

In 2022, Lyndall established the LCA’s Chat & Play sessions to support older residents and reduce social isolation. Attendance has grown from seven participants to more than twenty each month through regular invitations, set-up, and shared meals prepared by Lyndall and other volunteers. The sessions now provide a consistent opportunity for social connection in the town.

Lyndall also supports the future of the LCA by encouraging new members to join the committee and mentoring volunteers. Through reliable service and practical leadership, she continues to strengthen community participation across the Mount Barker district.

HIGHLY COMMENDED CITIZEN
Brett Johns

For leadership and service to the sporting community through volunteering.

For more than 20 years, Brett has contributed to the Eastern Hills Basketball community through consistent volunteer service and practical leadership. His involvement has supported the development of players, coaches, officials, and volunteers, helping the association grow in both participation and capability.

Brett served as President for 11 years, guiding Eastern Hills Basketball through periods of change and expansion. During this time, he worked to improve programs, strengthen governance, and increase engagement with families and the wider community. His approach has focused on providing accessible, well-run opportunities for people of all ages to participate in sport in a positive environment.

His contribution enhances community life by ensuring Eastern Hills Basketball is more than a competition venue. It is a place where young people build confidence, learn cooperation, and develop leadership skills, while families and volunteers feel welcome and supported. This steady focus on people as well as performance has strengthened social connection across the club and surrounding districts.

In recognition of his service, Brett has been awarded Life Membership of Eastern Hills Basketball. His leadership has also been recognised at a regional level through appointment to the SA Country Basketball Council Executive, and more recently as President of SA Country Basketball. In these roles, he contributes to improving pathways, participation, and development opportunities for regional athletes, coaches and volunteers across South Australia.

YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Jasmine Connellan

For leadership and advocacy in the care and preservation of wildlife and environment.

Jasmine is a local wildlife rescuer and environmental advocate who supports the protection of native fauna and ecosystems across the Adelaide Hills and the Mount Barker council areas. Through action and community education, she helps residents understand, respect, and care for the natural environment they live alongside.

As a member of Fauna Rescue, Jasmine dedicates her spare time to responding to calls involving injured, sick, and displaced native animals. She uses her own resources to travel to rescues, transport animals to veterinary appointments, collect food and browse, purchase medication and supplies, provide temporary care, and support rehabilitation before release. Her work has included assisting waterbirds, woodland birds, reptiles, possums, bats, turtles, and kangaroos.

Jasmine also contributes to community awareness and education. She uses social media, photography, and written content to share information about species in care and to explain the threats facing local wildlife and habitats. By doing so, she helps residents better understand how everyday actions can affect native animals and ecosystems.

She volunteers at environmental activities including Clean Up Australia Day, bushcare and planting days, and community workshops. Jasmine is committed to ongoing learning so she can provide accurate advice and guidance to others.

Finding injured wildlife can be stressful for residents. Jasmine reduces that impact by responding calmly and providing clear advice, support, and follow-up care. She also supports habitat protection through actions such as arranging nest boxes for displaced animals and contributing to council environmental projects.

HIGHLY COMMENDED YOUNG CITIZEN
Justin Hill

For leadership in youth development and activities.

Justin joined the Rotary Club of Mount Barker in 2022 and has since become an active contributor to youth development across the Mount Barker District Council area.

Through his role as Director of Youth Services, Justin works to connect Rotary with local programs that support young people through leadership, learning, and community participation.

Justin has taken a proactive approach to identifying opportunities where Rotary can assist youth initiatives. In 2025, he coordinated Rotary involvement in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), nominating two young people from the district. Both successfully completed the program, gaining leadership and personal development skills.

Justin also supported the “Who We Are” student development program held at Auchendarroch, delivered by Council in partnership with the Wallis family. He initiated contact with Council’s Community Development Officer for Children and Youth, Shannon Swart, and ensured Rotary’s involvement in the event. His contribution helped strengthen collaboration between Rotary and Council around youth engagement.

Appointed Director of Youth in 2024, Justin continues to look for practical ways Rotary can support young people. He is a strong advocate for programs such as Operation Flinders, which provide youth with experiences that build confidence, responsibility, and life skills.

Justin’s contribution also reflects personal growth through volunteering. As an NDIS participant, he has developed workplace skills within Rotary, including learning to operate the EFTPOS and point-of-sale systems on the Rotary Donut Van. With mentoring and practice, he now supports fundraising activities independently and reliably.

Justin regularly seeks advice, contacts facilitators, and prepares submissions to the Rotary Board to progress youth initiatives. His focus is on creating opportunities for young people while strengthening Rotary’s role in the community.

AWARD FOR ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP
David Richardson

For dedication and leadership in and for the local community.

David is an active and committed member of the Nairne community, contributing across multiple organisations and initiatives. He serves with the CFS Nairne Brigade, is President of the Nairne District Residents Association, and is a committee member of the Nairne and Districts Netball Club and the Nairne Oval Committee. Through these roles, David works to strengthen connections between local groups, helping them identify shared goals and collaborate effectively.

David has played a central role in organising well-regarded community events, including the Nairne Twilight Markets, Nairne History Month, and Nairne Carols. In these roles, he has volunteered considerable time to preparing grant applications, coordinating logistics, and supporting the delivery of events that foster community participation and engagement.

A key aspect of David’s approach is building collaboration across volunteer groups. He has coordinated two ‘Forum 5252’ events, bringing local organisations together to discuss priorities, share resources, and support one another. This approach not only strengthens individual groups but enhances the broader social fabric of Nairne.

Beyond Nairne-specific activities, David also contributes to district-wide events such as Taste of the Hills, providing his skills in event and emergency management. For the 2026 Tour Down Under finish in Nairne, David was central to coordinating community efforts, ensuring local businesses and residents could engage fully and benefit from the event.

David’s commitment to support, connection, and planning has helped create an environment where local organisations work together effectively, residents feel engaged, and community life is strengthened across the district.

COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR
Mount Barker Parkrun

For excellence in event delivery and sustained provision of community and well-being outcomes.

Mount Barker parkrun is a weekly community event held every Saturday morning, providing an opportunity for people of all ages and fitness levels to walk, run, or volunteer. Since its inception in 2014, the event has run consistently every week, with an average of 250–300 participants attending each session. The parkrun is entirely volunteer-run, requiring over 20 volunteers each week to support the event, manage safety, and ensure smooth operations.

Participants regularly highlight the value of parkrun as a way to meet people, maintain wellbeing, and build friendships.

Volunteers play a critical role, assisting with tasks such as course setup, timekeeping, marshalling, and recording results. This volunteer involvement reflects the event’s focus on shared responsibility and collective effort, providing opportunities for community members to contribute meaningfully to the health and social life of the area.

Mount Barker parkrun provides an accessible, structured, and friendly environment where community members can support each other, stay active, and connect socially, making it a valuable part of the Mount Barker community.