Citizen of the Year Awards
On Tuesday 28 January we met in the Newmarch Gallery to formerly recognise the recipients of the 2025 Citizen of the Year Awards.
Congratulations to the following recipients.
- David Johnston - Citizen of the Year
- Nathan Bishop - Young Citizen of the Year
- Jenny Rossiter - Active Citizenship Award
- Churchill Greening - Community Event of the Year
We would also like to recognise and thank those who nominated these award recipients, your efforts have allowed us to acknowledge individuals and groups within our community on their achievements and contributions.
Those who did not receive a Citizen of the Year award will be recognised with a Community Service Award at our celebrations during National Volunteer Week in May 2025.
2025 Recipients
City of Prospect’s 2025 Citizen of the Year recipient is David Johnston.
David is the author and/or co-author of seven publications, including Historical Jottings, a collection of around 150 articles about the local Prospect area. His other works include Buried Treasures: Prospect People in North Road Cemetery (co-authored), Early Doctors, Dentists, and Chemists of Prospect, Historic Homes & Other Buildings in Prospect, Lost Prospect, Historic Prospect Hospitals, Prospect Schools and Early Teachers, and Stories of Prospect Past. David has contributed extensively to the Old Prospectors website, and has provided many biographies on local figures. He has also played a significant role in the Local History Group’s heritage-related submissions, such as those regarding heritage listings. David’s foundational knowledge of Prospect’s history makes him one of the key 'go-to' people for any historical inquiries about the area. David is awarded City of Prospect’s 2025 Citizen of the Year for his many years of service and commitment to preserving and enhancing Prospect’s historical identity for future generations.
City of Prospect’s 2024 Young Citizen of the Year recipient is Nathan Bishop.
Nathan was nominated by Blackfriars Priory School for being a student who consistently finds ways to give back to the community. In 2023, Nathan organised Blackfriars' first-ever team for the Walk for Love event, raising more than $2,700 for the Mary Potter Foundation. In 2024, he expanded the initiative, bringing together a larger group of students and staff and raising over $6,000 for the cause. In recognition of his efforts, the Mary Potter Foundation honoured him by naming him an official ambassador for the event. Nathan is an active and dedicated member of the Blackfriars community, always seeking ways to contribute in and around the school. He is a member of several bands, plays multiple instruments, and has been elected House Leader for 2025. He also represents Blackfriars in water polo, is part of the State U17 Water Polo Team, and is a recipient of the Sports Association for Adelaide Schools’ Blue Round Medal, which promotes mental health awareness in schools. Nathan is a great role model to his peers.
City of Prospect’s 2024 Active Citizenship Award recipient is Jenny Rossiter.
Eight years ago, as Jenny approached retirement from her teaching career at Prospect Primary School, Jenny envisioned creating a University of the Third Age (U3A) to address the needs of the growing baby boomer population transitioning into retirement. Jenny led a process that drew upon people’s knowledge and skills, quickly attracting enough participants to establish a Prospect U3A branch at the Prospect RSL in early 2017. The branch launched with nine activities and 53 registered members. Today, the branch has grown to over 350 members and 43 activities, and been renamed Inner North U3A. Jenny, through her vision and dedication has provided the retired community with opportunities to learn new skills, make friends, and stay active. She has created countless opportunities for volunteering, enabling people to share their talents while bringing joy and fulfillment to others. Jenny was nominated by members of U3A in acknowledgement of her leadership in the formation of U3A Inner North, which has now grown to over 350 members. Jenny is recognised as being instrumental in driving the success of this valued community entity, which will continue to benefit community members for many years to come.
Our 2025 Community Event of the Year Award is presented to Churchill Greening.
Churchill Greening’s mission is to strengthen community well-being and foster a sense of belonging by building connections and enhancing biodiversity through the creation of an accessible, educational, and sustainable garden space for all. This group was nominated for their series of working bees held at Ovingham and surrounding areas. Volunteers range in age from as young as 4 to people in their 70s. They have also hosted a popular permaculture workshop, organised community gatherings, and run a stall to promote the creation of a welcoming green space at the new Churchill Pocket Park. Their working bees have fostered a genuine community spirit in Ovingham and the surrounding areas by creating a platform for neighbours to connect through a shared commitment to keeping their area beautiful, clean, and safe.
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Recognising our outstanding citizens
The Citizen of the Year Awards are presented by the Australia Day Council of South Australia and administered by local councils on their behalf.
Each year we acknowledge and celebrate remarkable individuals and groups who do exceptional things for our community. If you know someone making a real difference, we encourage you to put them forward for the Citizen of the Year Awards. Each council seeks nominations in their local area, with the award recipients announced in the lead up to or on Australia Day.
The Awards reward and recognise individuals and organisations that have made a noteworthy contribution during the current year, and/or given outstanding service over a number of years, to a local community over and above normal employment duties.
Outstanding contribution and community service includes areas such as education, health, fundraising, charitable and voluntary services, business, sport, arts, the environment, or any other area that contributes to the advancement and well being of a community.
Nominating someone who makes a real difference in your community gives them the opportunity to be rewarded and recognised for their important voluntary contribution.
The Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards gives the opportunity to recognise someone who makes a difference in their community across four major categories:
Award Categories
Citizen of the Year
This is presented to the most outstanding citizen during the past year. To be eligible, the person must be an Australian Citizen.
Young Citizen of the Year
This is presented to the most outstanding Young Citizen during the past year. To be eligible, the person must be an Australian Citizen under 30 years of age on 26 January of the year of award.
Community Event of the Year
This is presented to a person or group who has staged the most outstanding community event during the past year.
Active Citizenship
This is presented to a person delivering outstanding work for an event or cause, staged in the community during the past year.
It is not a requirement that the individual resides in our city. The focus is on the contribution to City of Prospect’s community (e.g. an individual may live in a neighbouring council but has made a significant contribution within City of Prospect).
For more information on Citizen of the Year awards, please call 8269 5355 and ask for our Volunteer and Community Programs Coordinator, or email admin@prospect.sa.gov.au.
City of Prospect Citizen of the Year Honour Board
2024
Citizen of the Year – Andrew Ganczarczyk
Young Citizen of the Year – Fern Bridges
Community Event of the Year - no award
Active Citizenship Award – Anneke Hoffman
2023
Citizen of the Year – Nola Bellenger
Young Citizen of the Year – Amelia Smith
Community Event of the Year - Santa's coming to Prospect
Active Citizenship Award – Eleanor Larwood
2022
Citizen of the Year – Jim Fergusson
Young Citizen of the Year – Inika Weber
Community Event of the Year - no award
Active Citizenship Award – Lewis Saint
2021
Citizen of the Year - Chris Whiteside OAM
Young Citizen of the Year - Dylan Lo
Community Event of the Year - no award (due to COVID-19 in 2020)
Active Citizenship Award - Alex Chu and Cameron MacGillivray
2020
Citizen of the Year - Robert Roocke
Young Citizen of the Year - Max Weir and Charlotte Crosby
Community Event of the Year - Broadview Football Club
2019
Citizen of the Year - David Kilner
Young Citizen of the Year - Darcy Maney
Community Event of the Year - Fourth Annual Great Ukulele Picnic
2018
Citizen of the Year - Dr Robert Irving
Young Citizen of the Year - Claire Sander
Community Event of the Year - Clifton Street Party
2017
Citizen of the Year - Kay Seear
Young Citizen of the Year - Megan Davies
Community Event of the Year - Federation of Indian Communities SA
2016
Citizen of the Year - Pat Brierly
Young Citizen of the Year - Sophie Harris
Community Event of the Year - Prospect District Cricket Club
2015
Citizen of the Year - Audrey Hale
Young Citizen of the Year - Justin Bussell
Community Event of the Year - Rotary Club of Prospect Pit Stop Event
2014
Citizen of the Year - Dilip Chirmuley
Young Citizen of the Year - Eleni Glouftsis
Community Event of the Year - Prospect Group – Amnesty International
2013
Citizen of the Year - Frank Scicluna
Young Citizen of the Year - Christopher Campbell
Community Event of the Year - no award
2012
Citizen of the Year - Lindy Neilson
Young Citizen of the Year - James Peter Owen Hunt
Community Event of the Year - no award
2011
Citizen of the Year - Peter Loan
Young Citizen of the Year - Michelle Keech
Community Event of the Year - Prospect-Blair Athol Lions Club
2010
Citizen of the Year - Susan Wells
Young Citizen of the Year - Madeleine Piochaud
Community Event of the Year - Nailsworth Church of Christ
2009
Citizen of the Year - Keith Seeary
Young Citizen of the Year - Teresa Deng
Community Event of the Year - Friends of the Prospect Library - Annual Book Sale
2008
Citizen of the Year - Bette Crouch
Young Citizen of the Year - Inno Bigga
Community Event of the Year - ICC Reconciliation Cricket Tournament
2007
Citizen of the Year - Jon Harmer
Young Citizen of the Year - Olivia Catalano
Community Event of the Year - no award
2006
Citizen of the Year - Anne Haskard
Young Citizen of the Year - Mathew Hutchinson
Community Event of the Year - no award
2005
Citizen of the Year - Junice Cooper
Young Citizen of the Year - Osama Malik
Community Event of the Year - Nailsworth Church of Christ
2004
Citizen of the Year - Ray Haynes
Young Citizen of the Year - Kate Mitchell
Community Event of the Year - Aust Plangon Antique & Modern Doll Collectors Club Inc
2003
Citizen of the Year - Heather Tralaggan
Young Citizen of the Year - Sam Harris
Community Event of the Year - Nailsworth Primary School
2002
Citizen of the Year - Valerie Collins
Young Citizen of the Year - no award
Community Event of the Year - no award
2001
Citizen of the Year - Michael Kain
Young Citizen of the Year - no award
Community Event of the Year - no award
2000
Citizen of the Year - Lesley Clark
Young Citizen of the Year - Michael Woods
Community Event of the Year - Blair Athol Lions Club
1999
Citizen of the Year - Henrietta Zoontjens
Young Citizen of the Year - Laura Christy
Community Event of the Year - no award
1998
Citizen of the Year - Betty Tothill