Awards for ANZAC Light on the Water

The biggest round of applause at the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Australia Day Awards went to the Young Citizen of the Year Jay Dohnt, 19, Ferryden Park swimming champion, who won the Bronze Medal in the 400m freestyle final as a Paralympian in the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

According to Jay, who has also won a Pride of Australia Courage Award, there is no such word as ‘can’t’.

Despite losing both legs below the knees and four fingers on his right hand to meningococcal disease two years ago, he has plunged head first into his future.

After surviving the deadly disease he decided to draw up a list of goals – starting with scuba diving.

Now Jay has his scuba diving ticket and regularly competes with the Parks Swimming Club and in 12 months Jay won six gold medals, one silver and received an encouragement award with the Club.

It was a humbling experience for me to be in the company of such a hero and a reminder of the courage and tenacity of others who were nominated for Australia Day Awards.

I was honoured to be awarded the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Australia Day 2009 Citizen of the Year Award for community work for Semaphore, Semaphore Street Fair and Port Adelaide events and projects including ANZAC Light on the Water and Merchant Navy Day.

And for the Merchant Navy Association SA to receive the City of Port Adelaide 2009 Community Event of the Year Award for ANZAC Light on the Water and Merchant Navy Day.


Federal and State politicians, Councillors, Council Executives and other VIPs were at the Awards Ceremony at Sunnybrae Function Centre, along with families and individuals from families and individuals from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and UK who were awarded Australian Citizenship in a special ceremony conducted by the Mayor and Council CEO Harry Wierda.

Local Federal Member Mark Butler MP gave a special address in which he welcomed all of the new citizens and congratulated those who received the Australia Day Awards.

Our photos show: Jay Dohnt, Merchant Navy Association Secretary Keith Ridgeway with local MP Mark Butler and myself and Harry Weirda, Mayor Gary Johanson and Mark.