First Backyard BBQ a hit!
Town of Walkerville held its first Backyard BBQ event on Australia Day (Sunday, 26 January 2025) in Hamilton Reserve, Vale Park, with around 800 people in attendance.
There was a private Citizenship Ceremony held by Council prior, with citizenship conferred on 18 new citizens by Mayor of Walkerville, Melissa Jones.
Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas MP; State Member for Adelaide, Lucy Hood MP; and Hon. Laura Henderson MLC attended the Citizenship Ceremony. Along with Town of Walkerville Councillors: Deputy Mayor Jay Allanson, Liz Trotter, John Zeppel, Aman Kaur, Steven Rypp and James Williams.
New citizens were gifted a picnic snack box to enjoy with their families at the Backyard BBQ.
At the Backyard BBQ, Mayor Jones announced the winners of the 2025 Citizen of the Year Awards:
- the winner of the Citizen of the Year Award was Gregory Brian Crawford AM for dedicated service in the medical field and to improving the wellbeing of communities;
- the winner of the Young Citizen of the Year Award was Indya Dodd for dedicated volunteer, advocacy and leadership in the Town of Walkerville and beyond;
- the Community Event of the Year was given to the Walkerville Energy and Environment Forum for bringing together community groups to collaborate on creating a free event for residents of Town of Walkerville;
- the winner of the Active Citizenship Award was Raymond Dohnt for his dedication to the Walkerville Bridge Club; and
- a special mention to other nominees: Thisagi Jayasekara and the Walkerville Knitting Group.
For photos and more information about each Award winner, click here.
Following the Awards, there were performances from High Spirits Harmony Choir and music duo, Frankly Music, as well as a wildlife box presentation by James from fauNature.
The Rotary Club of Walkerville held a sausage sizzle, Councillors had a stall with fairy floss and there were several other food vendors available on the day.
Families were able to enjoy the activities on offer, including getting up close and personal with native Australian animals, creating their own floral arrangements, participating in nature play, or enjoying a storytime while dressed up in costume!
There were also a number of lawn games that kept all entertained.
Town of Walkerville is grateful to all in the community members who attended this Australia Day event.
