Australia Day Award winners

SUPERHERO RECOGNITION

Citizen of the Year, Anthony Hill, said it was a “team effort” with his Variety Bash team, The Avengers (pictured above).

Each year the City of Playford recognises and rewards the valued work and commitment of community members who give their time generously to help others, and make a significant contribution for the city.

The awards showcase Playford community members, groups or initiatives and sporting clubs. In 2022, the City of Playford announced two new categories of Active Citizenship and Young Active Citizenship. These two categories opened the awards to nonAustralian citizens and non-Playford residents for the first time to give Council the opportunity to acknowledge their commitment to the community.

The winners of the prestigious Australia Day Awards for 2022 are:

Citizen of the Year | Anthony Hill Young Citizen of the Year | Bianca Nilsson Sports Club of the Year | Playford Athletics Centre Initiative of the Year | Elizabeth Vale Soccer Club Active Citizenship | Ben Rowe Young Active Citizenship | Jessica Ferdinands

Continue reading to hear from our award recipients about the dedicated work they do in the Playford community.

VARIETY VOLUNTEER

Playford Citizen of the Year and Variety volunteer, Anthony Hill.

Superhero recognition.

Captain Hulk, also known as Anthony Hill, has been named the 2022 Playford Citizen of the Year. Since a young age, Anthony has participated in the Variety Bash which brings together a group of mates on an eight-day outback drive for the children’s charity. About five years ago, Anthony created his own team – the Avengers – and continues to raise money for the charity on and off the dirt track.

“I think it’s a necessity to give back to your community,” he said. “There are so many people in the community that don’t have the facilities to do what we do. There are so many children that need what we do and someone has to do it. So my wife and I saw there was a need there, put the car together and stepped up as a team and got it all together.”

During this time, Anthony has helped to raise over $100,000 for the charity. When he isn’t in the Bash car, the Avengers team is at local community events bringing entertainment and cooking delicious food.

These events are often to support or raise funds for both Variety and other organisations or groups that focus on children and their families who are facing many challenges through sickness, disadvantage or living with special needs. “There have been families in real struggle that have needed a lot of assistance that we have been able to help,” he said.

Anthony said he was honoured to be awarded Playford Citizen of the Year, however, it was a team effort. “It’s more about the recognition for the team,” he said.

MUSIC ENTREPRENEUR

Emerging music powerhouse, Bianca Nilsson, is Playford Young Citizen of the year for 2022.

Building a music

empire.

Young music entrepreneur, Bianca Nilsson, is building her record label, publicity and management company into a global powerhouse at the age of 25. She is also the 2022 Playford Young Citizen of the Year.

This emerging leader in the South Australian music industry has put her focus into helping other new artists.

“I have been mentoring them, teaching them selfmanagement skills as well as how to run their own publicity campaigns,” Bianca said. “I believe that is knowledge that should be shared, so everyone can get to the level of success in the music industry that they want to reach.”

At just 18 years old Bianca launched Renegade Records, while working 12 hours a day, six days a week, in a potato factory.

“For me, giving back to the Playford community is important because I have lived here my whole life and I wasn’t necessarily fed on a silver spoon,” she said. “I had to work really hard to get to where I am now. So, I want to offer Playford musicians all the knowledge and resources Renegade has to create an easier path while navigating through the music industry.”

And while she continues to build her business into a major label, Bianca has a focus on building representation of females and the gender queer community in the industry.

“I am really focussing on working with more female artists, female music producers, female music industry representatives,” she said. “Renegade is a fully female, non-binary, LGBTQI business – which I am really proud of. I have always wanted to make the younger version of myself proud of who I am today and hope I can be an inspiration for other people.”

Bianca was also a finalist for Young South Australian of the Year in 2021.

Fitness fever.

Sport can unite diverse communities and the Playford Athletics Centre has been recognised for its camaraderie being named Playford Sports Club of the Year.

The Centre has existed for about 50 years, but in recent times has seen significant participation growth.

Club president Shona Weston said it was thanks to volunteers and families’ dedication and continual training opportunities.

“It feels incredible, it feels like all the hard work has been recognised not just for us, but the kids as well,” Shona said. “We work hard to educate and train athletes, parents and community members so they in turn can help educate and officiate in athletic events and activities for future generations.”

The Centre’s aim is to create a fun and active environment for all ages and fitness levels.

Playford Athletics Centre provides support to families who may be financially struggling or have special needs to make sure its sport offerings are accessible to everyone.

“We strive to encourage the development of athletes of all abilities by promoting positive attitudes and a healthy lifestyle through family and community involvement in athletic activities,” she said. “We offer a chance for everyone in the community to participate in sport.”

The Centre also fosters future champions with opportunities for members to participate in athletic events.

“We continue to watch our club grow each year as the children strive to beat their personal bests and become true athletes,” she said.

To learn more or get in contact with the centre visit playfordathletics.tidyhq.com.

SPORTS CLUB

Lily King, 10, and Justin Nguyen, 13, from the Playford Athletics Centre – this year’s Sports Club of the Year.

Birthday bash.

In 2021, the Elizabeth Vale Soccer Club celebrated its 60th year supporting the community to lead active and healthy lives. The birthday celebration, turned community fun day, is the recipient of the Community Group and Initiative of the Year award.

Committee member and first-team player, Michael Francis, said it had been a great year on and off the pitch. “The club is focussed on a family-friendly atmosphere,” Michael said. “We have a diverse community in the area, so we are trying to get more kids involved as much as we can.”

Elizabeth Vale Soccer Club teamed up with the Variety Bash team, the Avengers, to host the free fun day which saw an exhibition match, activities, food and entertainment for all ages.

“The day was to celebrate what we have achieved in the amateur league over the years, raise awareness of the club, as well as attract new players and members,” he said.

The club has four senior and eight junior teams, as well as many members, volunteers and supporters. Michael said receiving the award was the “icing on the cake” to what had been a rollercoaster of a year.

To learn more search for the Elizabeth Vale Soccer Club Facebook page.

COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

Elizabeth Vale Soccer Club’s Michael Francis (front) and Daniel Maguire.

STREETLIGHT

Active Young Citizenship, Jessica Ferdinands, and Active Citizenship, Ben Rowe, from Streetlight.

Shining a light on local youth.

Streetlight’s co-founder, Ben Rowe, and Project Manager, Jessica Ferdinands, are the inaugural recipients of Playford’s Active Citizenship and Young Citizenship Award. The duo is active in the community connecting and empowering young people to reach their full potential.

Ben and his wife, Anni, established Streetlight about six years ago and continue to offer a safe place for local youth to hang out at the Elizabeth City Centre and local skateparks. “I fundamentally believe our life is best lived when we are living it for others,” Ben said.

Streetlight prides itself on creating an engaging atmosphere where young people gather to interact and build relationships. “It’s the opportunity to get them connected into different services, get them engaged in school, engaged in employment and just succeeding in life,” Ben said. “Seeing they have value, they have potential and they’ve got a sense of purpose in life. That is at the heart of the whole service we provide – a sense of believing in people that others perhaps haven’t.”

During this time up to 80 volunteers have been trained to help mentor young people. One of those mentors is Jessica Ferdinands who joined the program about two years ago.

From running an art therapy program to coordinating Street Eats, a free virtual cooking program to help young people in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jessica has been influential in supporting Playford youth. “I had it on my heart to start up a cooking program for young people, so they could learn a healthy skill – but also engage in a positive community in the midst of lockdown,” Jessica said. “Each Monday we would drop ingredients off to young people’s doorsteps and then we would all hop online, and we would learn how to cook a healthy meal together.”

Jessica has also helped in the recruitment of new volunteers, successfully applied for grants and coordinated first aid and mental health training. Jessica said being involved in Streetlight has completely changed her life.