General News
3 February, 2024
Jeparit dodges the rain
It was touch-and-go for a while, but the weather thankfully held until Jeparit’s Australia Day ceremony concluded.
It was touch-and-go for a while, but the weather thankfully held until Jeparit’s Australia Day ceremony concluded.
The celebration kicked off with over 40 residents descending on Sir Robert Menzies Square for a post-Christmas catch up over coffee, juice, bacon and eggs provided by the Jeparit Town Advisory Committee.
Hindmarsh Mayor Cr Brett Ireland welcomed the new resident to “our town - my town” and said council was very happy with the results of the upgrades to the Jeparit Swimming Hole precinct.
He also announced that Hindmarsh Shire would be receiving four Tidy Town grants, with Jeparit slated for the first $50,000.
“I’ve beat down Crs Gersch and Ismay to secure the first amount for Jeparit’s main street,” he said.
Cr Ireland also touched on the town’s increase in crime, and assured residents that he is doing everything in his power to advocate securing another police officer for the town’s one-man station.
“Our population is still large enough to warrant a police presence,” he said.
Jeparit Town Advisory Committee president Jason “Hutto” Hutson announced their Citizen of the Year was, like Rainbow, a couple: Jimmy and June Gawith.
“They are a wonderful, modest couple, and have given so much to Jeparit over the years,” Hutto said.
We cannot separate these two as they always work together in tandem, as a team, tackling everything head on.
“Whatever area they worked on, they would go back day after day until the job was done to their specifications and standards - which are exceptionally high.
Hutto went on to list the couple’s many occasions where they were involved in the church, show pavilion entries and stewarding, fundraising and bake sales, serving on the board of the Jeparit Hospital, and cooking and serving food at the Jeparit Museum Rallies.
“They love the gun club and played a huge part in keeping it running, including attending every meet, helping out in every way, and enjoying the clay target shooting immensely themselves,” he said.
“I am positive we have only covered the tip of the iceberg with everything this couple has given and shared with Jeparit - we could be here for several days.
“They are a wealth of knowledge about Jeparit and the area, and can provide many wonderful memories and stories with a brilliant ability to share a good yarn and a good laugh.”
Mr Gawith was not present, and Mrs Gawith, who was humbled and taken aback by the award, declined to speak to the crowd.