AUSTRALIA Day was made especially memorable for the 2023 King Islander of the Year, Jan van Ruiswyk. On this day of recognition, Jan received a surprise – his mother Alie and sister Gerda, who had just visited to celebrate Jan and his wife Robyn’s 40th wedding anniversary, unbeknown to Jan, returned to the island and were at the award ceremony.
This year’s King Island Australia Day fomalities and celebration were held at the King Island War Memorial Park in Currie.
The formalities began around 11am and the crowd grew as families with young children took up positions around the park and united around post ceremony activities.
The day started with MC Brooke McLachlan welcoming the community and visitors and introducing King Island’s Australia Day Ambassador, Adam Drake. Adam is from the Northern Territory and was a past Australia Day Territory nominee.
KING Island Mayor Marcus Blackie said Australia Day was an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the individuals and organisations that have made a noteworthy contribution to our community.
The 2023 Community Event or Organisation of the Year went Year to the King Island Community Car Group. “The King Island Community Car is a vital local service, that is the work of a whole team of committed people,” he said. “Access to transport is a basic human need that fundamentally impacts everyone’s wellbeing. A recent study showed that 92% of seniors rate personal mobility as critical to health, social wellbeing, and independence.
“Without transport connection is severely limited and without connection much else becomes limited also. “It is in all our interests that the community car service stays strong as there is a fair chance that at some point, we may all call upon it.” Shirley Stebbings accepted the award on behalf of the team behind the community car and thanked key volunteers that keep the car on the road and the service operating.
The Young Citizen of The Year for 2023 is Murphy Summers. Cr Blackie said Murphy took on the manager role at the King Island Child Care and Early Learning Centre in 2018 and for the next five years led the organisation through a period of immense change. During Murphy’s leadership the centre completed two large-scale construction projects. Cr Blackie highlighted that Murphy calmly kept the centre functioning during the Covid crisis.
“To support the childcare needs of essential workers and ensure staff stayed in employment and training. Murphy has also contributed to the community as an active volunteer committee member of the Foundations to Flourish group.”
The Mayor presented the Citizen of the Year Award to Jan van Ruiswyk. “Jan found his passions very early in life. family, the physical, farm and film,” Cr Blackie said. “Over many years his passions have directly benefited and supported the King Island community. “On the farm Jan focused on King Island’s original product – wool. “Over the years Jan van Ruiswyk has been a member of numerous agricultural groups.
“He kick started the ‘Producer Initiator Research Group’ and has been a member of King Island Beef group. He hosted and facilitated field days and events, both on and off the island. The King Island Show would not be the same without him – an exhibitor, a steward, and of course a champion winner.
“Over the years Jan has milled, cut and supplied wood for community organisations. His firewood has been raffled, distributed, on sold and burnt to raise funds or to help those needing some warmth in winter. “Jan does not shy away from a bit of danger. “He won the steer riding championship when member of the Rodeo Association and was part of the King Island Mine Rescue team.
“In later years he joined the King Island fire brigades and for many years until today, he served as Naracoopa fire captain and was presented with a National Honour medal in 2021. “The KI Imperial made him a life member in 2023. “He currently leads the Football Association and he has a long history of supporting the code as both a player and committee member.
“Jan is more than a participant. He is a community organiser and doer. His passion for getting things done and his ability to attract support has time and time again revitalised dwindling numbers, created enthusiasm and brought new ideas to community groups.” In his speech Jan paid tribute to Robyn for her support and being beside him when he filmed every significant island moment.
“Thank you King Island for helping me become the person I am today, he said. King Island’s Australia Day Ambassador, Adam Drake is the founder of Balanced Choice Program. His work has a youth focus, and his tailored programs help connect people with each other, strengthen fitness from within and inspire to follow a path that best suits them.
Mr Drake is currently implementing a program within the Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania and provides Australia wide support programs.
Mr Drake spoke of his life experiences on homelands, the young, incarcerated people he meets and the rewards he gains from “their teachings”. He recognised that the day meant different things to different people and had changed from when he was young and for some it carries sorrow. During his short stay he told of the connections he had made on the island through listening and sharing stories.