Community Events and Awards
Events play an important role in the communities social, economic, cultural and environmental well-being. They are a great vehicle for bringing people together, promoting local businesses and showcasing the varied attractions and experiences the region offers.
Discover What's On
Have an event coming up? Let us know.
All Event Organisers must get Council approval for activities under the Local Government Act, 1999. To see your legal responsibilities, understand what has changed, or learn more about event permit requirements, read the Event Management Policy and Event Management Handbook.
To apply for a permit, complete the Event Application.
For applications submitted outside the required timeframes outlined in the Event Management Handbook, Contact Us.
Citizenship Ceremonies
- 26 January 2026
- 19 March 2026
- 18 June 2026
- 17 September 2026
For further information about becoming an Australian citizen, visit the Department of Home Affairs website, or call 131 880.
Nominations for the Citizen of the Year Awards Program
Nominations are now open for the 2027 Citizen of the Year Awards Program.
All nominations received after 5pm on Friday 13 November 2026 will be entered in the 2028 Citizen of the Year Awards Program.
Light Regional Council is proud to offer an annual Citizen of the Year Awards Program to recognise local individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to our region.
Nominate
Nominations can be made in five categories:
- Citizen of the Year
- Young Citizen of the Year (must be under 30 years of age on 26 January)
- Award for Active Citizenship (A person or group delivering outstanding work or for an event or cause, staged in the community during the past year)
- Community Event of the Year (for the most outstanding community event)
- Community Project of the Year (for the most outstanding community project)
To nominate an individual or group for these annual awards, please read the Nomination Guidelines and complete the online Nomination form.
Nomination forms are also available on request from the libraries and Council offices.
Nominations should be forwarded to:
Email: light@light.sa.gov.au
Mail: PO Box 72 Kapunda SA 5373
In-person: 93 Main St, Kapunda OR 12 Hanson St, Freeling
For more information, contact the Council on 8525 3200.
Further details about the Citizen of the Year Awards program can be found on the Citizen of the Year website.
Citizen of the Year Awards
Each year the Citizen of the Year Awards are proudly presented by Light Regional Council with support from the Australia Day Council of South Australia at the Australia Day event on 26 January. The awards recognise local individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to our community.
Nominations can be made in five (5) categories:
- Citizen of the Year
- Young Citizen of the Year
- Award for Active Citizenship
- Community Event of the Year, and
- Community Project of the Year Awards
To nominate a citizen or group for the next awards, please read the Nomination Guidelines and complete the Nomination Form.
To nominate a Community Project for the next awards, please download and complete the Community Project nomination form.
For more information, visit the Citizen of the Year Awards Website.
Mayor's Inspiration Award
The Mayor's Inspiration Award recognises inspirational individuals of the highest level, within the Light Region.
The Mayor in conjunction with Council Members review examples of inspiration bought to Councils attention and decide the recipient(s). The award is presented by the Mayor of Light Regional Council at a time deemed appropriate.
For more information or to nominate a citizen or group for outstanding inspiration, please Contact Us.
Mayoral Youth Recognition Award for Academic Achievement
The Mayoral Youth Recognition Award for Academic Achievement recognises Year 12 students who have consistently achieved academic excellence in that year. Students must:
- be enrolled in Year 12 at a secondary education institution located in Light Regional Council,
- demonstrate positive values including integrity, responsibility, respect, participation, cooperation, care and fairness,
- demonstrate involvement in extracurricular community-based activities, such as community service, leadership and mentor roles, and/or participation in cultural, sport and recreation, science, technology, and arts activities (where possible).
The award is presented by the Mayor of Light Regional Council or delegate (by prior arrangement with Council), at the school's discretion to either one or two Year 12 students at the annual presentation evening in Term 4 of that Year, or Term 1 of the following year. For more information, please Contact Us.
2026 Award Recipients
Missed the livestream? Watch it here! Light Council 2026 Australia Day Livestream
Congratulations to our 2026 Citizen of the Year Award winners!
Young Citizen of the Year – Jessica Paley
Citizen of the Year – Michael (Mick) Schluter
Award for Active Citizenship – Lyne Harrison (Kapunda Food Relief Service - Light Country Community Centre)
Community Project of the Year – Kapunda Silo Art Project (Kapunda Mural Town Committee) from left Danny Menzel, Maxine Donald, Mayor Close
Community Event of the Year – 2025 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day in Kapunda (Kapunda Reconciliation Working Group)
Mayoral Youth Recognition Award for Academic Achievement
Kapunda High School
At the Kapunda High School Presentation Night on Thursday 13 November 2025, Mayor Bill Close presented the annual Mayoral Youth Recognition Awards to Year 12 students Charlotte Crowhurst (right) and Peter Shubin (left)
Xavier College
At the Xavier College Opening Assembly on Thursday 5 February 2026, Mayor Bill Close presented the Mayoral Youth Recognition Award to the joint Year 12 Dux for 2025 – Kate Hudson (left) and Jasmine Carroll (right)
Mayor's Inspiration Award
There are currently awards to date for 2026.