South Australian of the Year Felicity-ann Lewis has said she was ‘humbled and proud’ by the honour bestowed on her.
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) President was appointed as South Australian of the Year at the Australia Day Council (SA) Awards ceremony in Adelaide in November.
Councillor Lewis said while she accepted the personal honour she believed it was an accolade to everyone in local government who volunteered time to the betterment of their communities.
“I am excited to receive this fabulous award in recognition of my work to fundraise for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander War Memorial, which was unveiled at the weekend.
“However, that fundraising campaign was strongly supported by South Australian Councils and their contribution to this long overdue recognition of our indigenous men and women was what made the campaign a success.”
Cr Lewis said she was privileged to be able to put a spotlight on such issues and honoured to have received the award.
“I like to think that this acknowledges and recognises that I’ve used those opportunities to my best advantage to keep those issues on the radar and be realistic about what I can actually achieve and take on things that I can manage rather than think I can change the world.
“My family, Warren and my two sons, also deserve to be encompassed in this and my mum is thrilled. Without their support over the many years I would not have been able to commit so much time to public life.”
Cr Lewis said she was grateful to the unknown benefactors who nominated her for the South Australian Award and to the judging panel, which recognised her as a worthy recipient.
“This is an award which I will humbly receive on behalf of Local Government in South Australia and the many people who worked with me on the campaign for the war memorial.
“We don’t enter public life, or embark on public fundraising campaigns for the accolades but this does feel pretty special.”
Cr Lewis’s name will now go forward to the Australian of the Year Awards, which will be announced on Australia Day next year.
