Published on 27 January 2023
Local heroes honoured
A youth market organiser, charitable teen entrepreneur, local fishing and fundraising figure, and one of the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast’s most iconic events have all been named 2023 City of Onkaparinga Australia Day Award recipients.
The annual awards, recognising local individual and groups that have made outstanding contributions to the community, were presented at the Hopgood Theatre yesterday, alongside council’s Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony, where 80 new citizens were welcomed.
City of Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were presented the awards with Australia Day Ambassador, Vicky Welgraven AM, with the Onkaparinga City Concert Band entertaining the crowd.
Without further ado, here are your 2023 City of Onkaparinga Australia Day Award recipients. Congratulations for all that you do!
Citizen of the Year – Mark Mills
Mark Mills is the founder and organiser of the annual OnkaStompa Fishing Competition, which celebrated its 17th event in November 2022.
The event hundreds of attendees, including competitors and families, each year, and takes place at the Onkaparinga River at A.S Perry Reserve (Perry’s Bend), River Road, Port Noarlunga.
The event not only allows entrants to try their luck at winning a prize for their catch of the day, it also raises much-needed funds for the Childhood Cancer Association, raising more than $51,000 in 2022, and hundreds-of-thousands over the years.
Mark’s hard work doesn’t just happen on the day. He spends countless hours year-round organising and raising money (including through numerous sausage sizzles) and awareness about the event and the Childhood Cancer Association’s mission to provide ongoing and practical hands-on support to children with cancer and their families.
Mark is known as a determined and down-to-earth guy who’s always there when you need him, and he hopes to have raised $500,000 for the charity by the time he finishes his 20th and final event in 2025.
Community Event of the Year – Willunga Almond Blossom Festival
The Willunga Almond Blossom Festival has been staged annually since 1970 and is the longest-running event of its kind in the City of Onkaparinga.
It has not only raised more than $1 million for improvements and maintenance of the community-owned and managed Willunga Recreation Park since the event’s inception, it’s estimated more than half-a-million people of all ages have attended the festival and enjoyed its many rides, exhibitions, cooking competitions, live music, specialty stalls, children’s games and much more.
The festival is a great tourism drawcard for the region, has a focus on using local suppliers and promoting local businesses, and is committed to sustainable waste management and recycling practices, with all disposable items used at the festival needing to be fully recyclable or compostable.
The festival also aims to create opportunities to showcase local sporting and recreational clubs, as well as local schools and musicians.
The 2022 event was one of the most successful iterations in recent years with around 14,000 people attending, more than $50,000 raised, more than 50 local businesses involved, and 40 per cent of attendees travelling more than 25 kilometres from outside the City of Onkaparinga to attend the event.
The efforts of festival coordinator Heather Williams (who accepted the award with Graham Ormsby) and her team, passionate volunteers (more than 500 hours were donated by more than 87 volunteers in 2022) and support from the local community have been key to the festival’s recent and ongoing success.
Little Hero of the Year – Alexa Seidel
10-year-old Seaford Meadows entrepreneur, Alexa Seidel, started her business That’s My Bin in June 2022, designing, making and selling vinyl adhesive stickers for people to decorate their kerbside bins.
Just months later, she was receiving orders from not only across Onkaparinga and SA, but from across the country!
Supported by her mum and teaming up with older sister Mikayla (12), That’s My Bin has gone from strength to strength, donating thousands of their profits to charities including Variety – the Children’s Charity, Hutt St Centre, and Dusty Paws Dog Rescue.
They’ve even employed younger sister Indy (six) to help with cutting the stickers and putting stamps on envelopes!
Since Onkaparinga Now profiled the young entrepreneurs in September 2022, Alexa has been interviewed on ABC Radio Adelaide and been recognised as a “leader of tomorrow” at the 2022 SA Woman Awards.
Active Citizenship Award – Chloe Steuart
17-year-old Chloe Steuart is the founder and organiser of the McLaren Vale Young Entrepreneur Market, which supports young entrepreneurs aged 10–25 in the Onkaparinga region to showcase and sell their wares.
The market takes place at the McLaren Vale Piazza on the second Saturday of each month, providing an incredible platform for young creators and providing the public with a cool spot to shop local. There’s no stall fee for exhibitors, trestle tables are provided, and Chloe promotes the market and its makers to the masses via social media.
Chloe’s efforts have been rewarded with a City of Onkaparinga grant and the market has been featured in local media.
Chloe’s entrepreneurial streak isn’t new—she established her first business, Twin Peaks Cushions and Bags, at age 10 after spotting and purchasing a small sewing machine for $20 at Woolworths (the business continues today). She also operates a successful bake stall and is reportedly looking to add barista skills to the mix too.