Mannum’s future leaders celebrated on Australia Day 2026
Two outstanding young people have received awards on January 26 alongside winners from around the Mid Murray district.
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Two of Mannum’s future leaders have been recognised with special honours on Australia Day 2026.
Thomas Hogben and Sophie Frahn each received awards at a breakfast and ceremony at Mary Ann Reserve.
Thirteen-year-old Thomas received a Mid Murray Council youth achievement award for his efforts to promote public health around his town.
Over the past couple of years, he has led a fundraising effort which has so far secured three defibrillators for the town, ready to save someone’s life in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest: one for the local Lions Club’s den, one for the ambulance station and one for the newly opened Mannum Medical Centre.
Inspired by his nan, Julie Hogben, he first began volunteering with the Lions Club at the age of 11.
He had already been made an honourary Lion and received an award from his school prior to Monday’s recognition.
Mid Murray Mayor Simone Bailey thanked him for his hard work and for making the community a safer place.
Also honoured on Monday was Sophie, the recipient of a Lions Club youth achievement award.
As well as filming River Murray Football League games and Mail Medal ceremonies for several years, she has served as a youth leader at St Martin’s Lutheran Church and held down a part-time job at the Aminya aged care facility.
Her various efforts had previously earned her a Barker Shield, a River Values award from Mannum Community College, awards from Mannum Community Club and the local inter-church council, two Long Tan youth leadership awards, and her excellent year 12 results last year earned her another certificate.
“She is a warm and compassionate person who cares around everyone around her, and she’ll go that extra distance to help others who are in need,” Lion Tim Clemow said at Monday’s ceremony.
In accepting the award, Sophie thanked her family, friends and teachers for helping her through life, and the Mannum Lions Club for putting on the Australia Day event.
Simone Bailey presents awards to Shirley Hissey, Coralie Gerhardy and Mark Graetz. Photos: Peri Strathearn.
More Mid Murray residents recognised
Also given awards on Monday were several residents of the northern parts of the council district:
- Citizen of the year Mark Graetz, of Keyneton, for his many decades of volunteer work with the Country Fire Service, Rotary Club and other organisations
- Active citizen Coralie Gerhardy, of Keyneton, leader of a community mosaic project
- Shirley Hissey, of Morgan, representing the organisers of Elf Magic, the event of the year
Bowhill community leader Shane McGrath was among three other nominees for the citizen of the year award.
The other two nominees for the active citizenship award were Ian Braddock, a volunteer organiser of Mannum’s annual Sounds by the River concert, and Peter Raison, chairman of Mid Murray Homes for the Aged and Aminya.
