Our community comes together to celebrate Australia Day at Payneham Library

Payneham Library, Felixstow was filled with warmth, pride and reflection as the community came together to celebrate on Australia Day 2026, marked by a moving Citizenship Ceremony and the presentation of the Council’s Australia Day Awards.

The event brought together Federal, State and Local elected representatives, community leaders, families and friends, all united in celebrating what it means to be Australian and be part of a community.

Guests included Ms Cressida O’Hanlon MP, Member for Dunstan; Senator Marielle Smith, Senator for South Australia; Ms Claire Clutterham MP, Federal Member for Sturt; and Australia Day Ambassador Mr Noel Mifsud.

A particularly heartfelt welcome was extended to the 40 people who formally became Australian citizens on the day, along with their loved ones who gathered to witness this milestone occasion.

Proceedings began with a Welcome to Country delivered by respected Kaurna elder Uncle Tamaru, acknowledging the enduring connection of the Kaurna people to the land and setting a respectful and inclusive tone for the celebration.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of the local Australia Day Awards, which recognised individuals and groups whose dedication and service enhance community well-being and immensely contribute to our unique sense of place in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters.

_{Image above: Mayor Robert Bria, Young Citizen of the Year - Ishaan Chaudhuri and Australia Day Ambassador Mr Noel Mifsud.}

Local Australia Day Awards

Citizen of the Year Award — Margaret McGregor

The Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Margaret McGregor in recognition of her lifelong commitment to compassion, advocacy and social justice.

Margaret’s work supporting refugees, particularly during the 1990s and early 2000s, was widely acknowledged, from her advocacy at Baxter Detention Centre to her hands-on support helping newly released refugees settle into Australian life.

Now in her nineties, Margaret continued to serve others with humility, wisdom and kindness, embodying the spirit of active citizenship.

Community event of the Year — Durga Puja by the Indian Bengali Cultural Association of Adelaide

The Community Event of the Year Award recognised the Indian Bengali Cultural Association of Adelaide for its inaugural Durga Puja celebration.

Despite being newly established, the association delivered a vibrant, three-day cultural event that attracted hundreds of attendees and showcased music, dance, food and traditions. The event strengthened cultural connections, welcomed new audiences and reinforced South Australia’s commitment to diversity, quickly becoming a standout example of multicultural celebration and community-led success.

Young Citizen of the Year — Ishaan Chaudhuri

The Young Citizen of the Year Award was awarded to Ishaan Chaudhuri, whose achievements across health, education, emergency services and cultural leadership were remarkable for someone so young.

While completing his medical studies, Ishaan led research into rural Indigenous healthcare, created a free tutoring program for disadvantaged students, volunteered with St John Ambulance SA, and represented young people locally and nationally through leadership roles with the Indian Bengali Association of Adelaide and the Australian Medical Students’ Association.

His work reflected a deep commitment to equity, service and inclusion.

The ceremony also featured a stirring performance by the Australian Girls Choir, that led the audience through iconic Australian ballads including I Still Call Australia Home, My Island Home and I Am Australian, capturing the shared emotions of belonging and pride felt throughout the room.

As new citizens took their pledge, the message of the day was clear: Australia is enriched by its diversity. Each person’s heritage, culture, language and life experience adds colour and texture to the nation’s story.

Australian citizenship was celebrated not as a final destination, but as an open invitation to contribute, participate and help shape the future.

The Australia Day celebration at Payneham Library was a powerful reminder that our nation’s and our community’s strength lay in its people.

Different yet united, connected by shared values and a collective hope for a fair, inclusive and vibrant community for generations to come.

Images of the morning: