Renmark Paringa Council announces Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards 2026
Renmark Paringa Council is proud to announce the recipients of the prestigious Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards for 2026.
These awards acknowledge individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Renmark Paringa Community and who embody the spirit of Australia Day.
The recipients will be honoured at an Australia Day Celebration held at Jarrett Memorial Gardens, Renmark on Monday 26 January 2026, where they will be presented with their awards in front of the community, family, and friends. The Australia Day Celebration will include a free community breakfast from 8am with the awards and citizenship ceremony to follow at 9.15am.
Lieutenant General Rick Burr will provide the civic presentation on the day.
Mr Burr commenced his schooling in Renmark, went to Military College in Duntroon, commanded troops in the field during conflicts and has received multiple awards and decorations for his service, rising to Chief of Army from 2018 to 2022.
Renmark Paringa Council received a pleasing 14 nominations across the four categories.
The high calibre of nominations has resulted in a joint winner for the youth category.
Quotes attributable to Renmark Paringa Mayor Peter Hunter:
“It is a great privilege to announce the five outstanding winners of the Renmark Paringa Council Citizen of the Year Awards, with a joint winner in the youth category, from an impressive 14 nominations.
“The large number of nominations speaks to the depth of talent, dedication, and generosity in our community, and it’s truly inspiring to see so many people being recognised for their contributions.
“The nominations reflect the quality of those who live among us. Individuals and groups who selflessly dedicate their time and energy to making Renmark Paringa a better place for all. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who took the time to nominate someone and acknowledge the incredible work being done.
“I congratulate all the winners and recognise that their actions help shape the very fabric of our community. Their efforts make our region a place we can all be proud of.
“I encourage everyone to join us at the Australia Day Celebrations in the Jarrett Memorial Gardens.
“It’s an opportunity to come together, honour our winners, and celebrate the people who make our community truly shine.”
The recipients of the 2026 Australian Day Citizen of the Year Awards are:
Citizen of the Year – Harry ter Bogt
Award for Young Citizens of the Year Award – Riley Broad & Kayleigh Stevens
Award for Active Citizenship – Scott Jenke
Community Event of the Year – Renmark North Cricket Club Pink Stumps Day 2025
Citizen of the Year – Harry ter Bogt
Harry ter Bogt, a dedicated Renmark Paringa resident, has contributed to his community for over five decades. Harry has exemplified outstanding community service, dedicating countless hours to local clubs, councils, and volunteer organisations. A long-serving member of the Lions Club, Harry has contributed over five decades of leadership, including five terms as President, 40 years as a Board member, and service on the Lions C2 District Cabinet and as Zone Chairperson.
A highly respected sporting and service volunteer, Harry has held influential roles across multiple clubs: Secretary, Treasurer and Life Member of the Paringa Football Club; President, Secretary and Life Member of the Paringa Tennis Club; President, long-term Committee Member and current Secretary of the Renmark Bowling Club; and long-term President and Life Member of the Riverland Football League Umpires Association. Over many decades, he has supported local sport as an administrator, umpire, mentor, and advocate.
Harry also dedicated close to 20 years to the Paringa CFS, including a decade as Secretary, and received the National Medal in recognition of long and committed emergency service to the community.
His leadership extends beyond clubs and volunteer groups. Over 15 years as an elected member of the Paringa District Council and later the Renmark Paringa Council, including four years as Deputy Mayor, Harry played an important role in shaping local governance. He also served on the Renmark High School Council for a decade, contributed many years to the local St Theresa’s Catholic Parish Council, and provided Riverland Courts essential judicial support as both a Special Justice and long-serving Justice of the Peace.
His commitment to community wellbeing extends to the Cores Riverland Suicide Awareness Program, where he has spent more than seven years facilitating programs across the region and interstate.
Across every role, Harry is known for his generosity, reliability, and unwavering commitment to helping others.
His lifetime of service has strengthened the community in lasting and meaningful ways, making him an exceptional and highly deserving recipient of this award.
Award for Young Citizen of the Year Award – Riley Broad
Riley is an outstanding young leader whose commitment to her school and wider community has made a remarkable impact. A recognised student leader every year of her schooling, she has contributed to school promotions, volunteered across numerous programs, and consistently demonstrated initiative, maturity and kindness.
A dedicated member of the rowing community, Riley has helped grow the St Francis of Assisi College (SFoAC) rowing program and now serves as Rowing Captain. She mentors younger students through Learn to Row sessions, volunteers with the Renmark Rowing Club, supports State Championship events, and plays a key role in strengthening connections between the school and local rowing club. Her enthusiasm, teamwork and willingness to help any crew have earned her deep respect within the rowing community.
Beyond sport, Riley has shown exceptional compassion and community spirit—donating her hair twice to Variety Children’s Charity, participating in environmental restoration with Barmera Landcare, fundraising for local causes, and regularly attending community war memorial services.
Her contributions have been widely recognised, including being named Renmark Lions Youth of the Year 2025 Overall Winner, receiving the Barker Shield for community service and spirit, being selected for the 2026 National Youth Science Forum and an Access and Equity Scholarship winner.
With her leadership, generosity, and strong sense of responsibility, Riley is an inspiring role model and deserving recipient of the Young Citizen of the Year Award.
Award for Young Citizen of the Year Award – Kayleigh Stevens
Kayleigh is an exceptional young leader whose commitment to her community is evident through her volunteering, leadership and service across Renmark Paringa district.
A dedicated member of the Vitor Renmark Amateur Swimming Club, Kayleigh is one of only three volunteer coaches, supporting and mentoring young swimmers aged 8–11. She has also been an active club swimmer herself and continues to serve as a positive role model for younger athletes.
Her contribution to community causes extends further through her volunteering at Olivewood Museum, where she helped raise funds for the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and through her participation in Relay for Life with Renmark Scouts.
Kayleigh’s generosity and compassion were also shown in 2024 when she cut her hair for the World’s Greatest Shave, raising more than $3,000.
In 2025, she represented Renmark High School in the Lions Youth of the Year competition, delivering a confident and thoughtful speech on the impact of body image on young athletes. Within her school community, Kayleigh has been an active Student Representative Council (SRC) member since 2022, contributed to school initiatives, and served on the senior debate team. She was also selected for the 2024 Spanish Study Tour, representing her school overseas with maturity and enthusiasm. Her leadership qualities were recently acknowledged with her nomination as the 2026 Deputy Head Prefect.
Kayleigh warmth, integrity and genuine care for others make her a natural leader, and the way she serves others—whether on the pool deck, in leadership positions or within the community—speaks to her integrity and her deep connection to Renmark making her an inspiring role model and deserving recipient of the Young Citizen of the Year Award.
Award for Active Citizenship – Scott Jenke
Scott has been a driving force behind the Riverland Dinghy Club for more than 21 years, dedicating over a decade as a committee member before serving 11 years as Club President. His leadership has transformed the Club and significantly strengthened community life in Renmark and the wider Riverland region.
During Scott’s presidency, the Club’s Championship Series expanded into a major six-round competition attracting racers from across Australia, with nearly half of competitors now travelling into the region. His commitment to building fair, safe and well-governed events led to the development of competition rules, safety procedures, electronic timing systems and the construction of a dedicated race control van and new club facilities.
Scott’s focus on maintaining an accessible entry-level class has ensured that young people—particularly those not engaged in traditional sport—have a welcoming pathway into the community through dinghy racing.
Scott’s contribution extends far beyond sport. During the 2022–23 Riverland floods, he made the Club’s radio communication infrastructure available to assist Council in protecting community assets.
Under Scott’s leadership, the Dinghy Club gained widespread recognition, including a five-year partnership with Red Bull Australia that brought international exposure to Renmark and the sport.
Scott has also played a key role in delivering the annual Dash 4 Cash double-round weekend—now in its 13th year—which attracts 3,000 to 5,000 spectators to the Renmark riverfront for a free family event.
Scott is deeply respected by competitors, volunteers and the broader community. His dedication has strengthened the profile of the sport, ensured a strong safety culture and built meaningful opportunities for connection, participation and pride within the Renmark Paringa Community.
Community Event of the Year – Renmark North Cricket Club Pink Stumps Day 2025
Renmark North Cricket Club (RNCC) has been awarded Community Event of the Year for its outstanding 2025 Pink Stumps Day - an event that brought more than 100 people together in a powerful display of compassion, connection and community spirit. Held on 22 February 2025, the event raised an exceptional $7,384.40 for the McGrath Foundation, directly supporting families across the Renmark Paringa region and beyond through the work of McGrath Breast Care Nurses.
Pink Stumps Day holds deep personal meaning for RNCC, with many members, families and supporters having been affected by breast cancer. This year’s event was the Club’s biggest and most successful yet, reflecting the community’s growing commitment to supporting those navigating treatment and recovery. The day featured presentations to junior and senior players, family-friendly activities, raffles, a Ladies Day celebration, and the popular auction of Pink Stumps playing tops. When extreme heat forced the cancellation of scheduled matches, the Club quickly adapted, hosting a shortened internal 20/20 game that kept the community engaged while ensuring safety.
Guest speaker and local McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Rebecca Semmens, reinforced the importance of the cause by sharing how McGrath Nurses support local families throughout their cancer journey. Her involvement strengthened awareness, understanding and connection across the community.
RNCC’s Pink Stumps Day exemplifies leadership, compassion and active citizenship—demonstrating how a sporting club can unite a community with purpose and care. Building on the success of 2025, the Club has already committed to expanding the event in 2026, involving all junior and senior teams and broadening the focus to honour all forms of cancer. Their dedication continues to strengthen community wellbeing and support local families when it matters most.
This remarkable event, and the people behind it, make RNCC a deserving recipient of the Community Event of the Year Award.
All media enquiries can be directed to: Renmark Paringa Council Communications and Engagement Officer Jane Kuerschner on 8580 3000 or email jkuerschner@renmarkparinga.sa.gov.au