The Laura Nature Playground Committee has been honoured with a Commendation in the 2026 State Citizen of the Year Awards, recognising their outstanding contribution to community life within the Northern Areas Council region.
Each year, the Citizen of the Year Awards celebrate the remarkable achievements of individuals and organisations who make a significant difference in their local communities. Following recognition at local Australia Day ceremonies, award recipients are nominated for the state program, coordinated by the Australia Day Council of South Australia.
This year, the Laura Nature Playground Committee was acknowledged in the Award for Active Citizenship, celebrating their vision, dedication and exceptional community leadership. Beginning in 2020 with humble fundraising efforts a passionate group of local parents and volunteers worked tirelessly to bring a long-held community dream to life. Their persistence and commitment saw them secure multiple grants, culminating in major support from Variety Children’s Charity SA, which contributed $216,000 toward the project.
Today, the Laura Nature Playground stands as a vibrant, nature-inspired play space at the Laura Sporting Reserve. Designed as a welcoming and inclusive environment, it has quickly become a cherished asset where families connect and children play.
Mayor Keith Pluckrose and Gabby Swearse Council’s Manager Development & Regulatory Services attended the awards event, supporting and celebrating the achievements of the Laura Nature Playground Committee alongside the other state award recipients.
Mayor Keith Pluckrose said, “This committee has done a terrific job. They saw something the community needed and just rolled up their sleeves and made it happen. The playground’s something we can all be proud of, and it shows what locals can achieve when they work together.”
Beyond delivering a high-quality play space, the committee has enriched community life through their involvement in events, including hosting the Variety Bash convoy and attending Variety’s formal grant presentation. These moments highlight not only the success of the project but also the profound impact of the committee’s active citizenship.
The Northern Areas Council congratulates the Laura Nature Playground Committee on their well-deserved recognition and thanks them for their lasting contribution to the Council area.
For more information, please contact
Northern Areas Council
Mayor
Keith Pluckrose | 0428 452 199