2009 Fleurieu Peninsula & Kangaroo Island Winners

Red Poles is an art gallery combined with a café/restaurant and B&B. Red Poles features performance art with live music every Sunday, plus cabaret and theatre performances. The gallery features special exhibitions as a part of the Adelaide Fringe, SALA and Feast Festivals every year. Red Poles was behind the creation of the Fleurieu Peninsula Art Trail in 2005, with the brochure now featuring 39 galleries and studios throughout the region.

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Tours provides a unique nature and wildlife experience that is recognised worldwide. The guides, who are locals of Kangaroo Island, take clients on a journey of discovery of Australia’s leading wildlife destination. In the past 12 months, the tours has increased the number of direct bookings and have received National Tourism Accreditation. The company has also improved their brand profile by attending key trade events and were recently selected by the South Australian Tourism Commission as one of the top 15 operators in the State.

Finding Workable Solutions is predominantly a Commonwealth funded organisation providing assistance to jobseekers with a disadvantage and/or disability in rural areas of South Australia. The company has been providing employment and vocational training since 1989, offering a flexible and professional approach to Employment Services. Finding Workable Solutions strives to become a one-stop shop assisting disadvantaged rural job seekers to find and maintain employment. In the past 12 months, Finding Workable Solutions has assisted in excess of 450 clients and expects that they will assist over 1,100 people into 2010.

Shared Skills in Strathalbyn is an intergenerational program based on an African proverb, “it takes a village to educate a child”. The concept was developed with strong community support to address issues across all age groups. It brings older residents and young people together to learn and share a practical skill. Since its establishment in 2003, courses have run each school term. The program has gained incredible momentum over the past 12 months, with new skill presenters coming on board.

The American River Radio is a part of the Australian Radio Rescue Service. Retirees, Allan and Carol run the radio station at their own expense 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are the busiest station in the Gulf and second busiest in South Australia. Their aim is safety at sea for all at all times of the day and night. Over the past 12 months, the station has increased its services to field an average 200 calls per day. Now in their 8th year running the station, Allan and Carol continue to offer community service in a self-less manner, operating with extraordinary outcomes, their commitment to the maritime community and their safety is invaluable.

The Tourism Optimisation Management Model was developed and implemented on Kangaroo Island in 1996. TOMM is a ground-breaking model that is receiving worldwide attention for the role it plays in measuring the economic, social, experiential and environmental impacts of tourism on Kangaroo Island. To do this, TOMM takes a holistic approach by surveying not just the visitors to the island, but also the residents.

Beyond Today is a $120 million environmentally sensitive housing development created by Environmentally Sustainable Developments 200 metres from the coast mid way between Port Elliot and Victor Harbor. The overall development seeks to create a unique urban environment with 93% of allotments located alongside or overlooking some form of vegetated reserve, park or wetland. The total development will cater for more than 220 new dwellings and more than 72 hectares of wetlands and landscaped open space. A 1.6km community bike/walkway has been established that meanders along the wetland environment.

The South Australian Whale Centre is the largest whale focused marine interpretative centre in South Australia. Using a myriad of interactive, educational and fun exhibits across three levels, the Centre promotes sustainable whale watching and fosters an appreciation of the marine environment through its interpretative Centre. The Centre manages the only statewide whale sighting information network providing free sighting information. The South Australian Whale Centre is an iconic statewide and attracts more than 18,000 visitors to the Centre annually.

The Victor Harbor Triathlon and Fun Run Walk is South Australia’s largest single day multi triathlon, with four events run simultaneously from start to finish. The entire event takes approximately 10 months to plan and stage. In the past 12 months, the event has been recognised for a number of awards including co-winner of “Best Community Event” at the 2009 Australia Day Awards. This year it was granted State Championship status for 2009 for the 9th time in 15 years.

Stephanie is a tireless worker at the Victor Harbor Netball Club taking on official club roles, coaching and umpiring. Stephanie also provides assistance with functions that the club is involved with. She also assists in running lessons, costuming and competition preparation at the Southern Dance connection ballet and drama school, as well as being a dancer herself. Stephanie’s proactive attitude and ability to communicate with others has shown she is a positive role model for young people in the region.