Recognising volunteers: Governor Kevin Scarce and SES Unit Manager Peter Codrington present SES volunteer Christopher Stockham with his new Basic Rescue certificate.
WEST Coast residents were honoured with a visit from South Australian Governor, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce OA on August 6 and 7.
His Excellency, along with his wife Elizabeth Scarce, visited Ceduna on August 6 to observe the progress the town has made since his last visit four years ago.
The Governor visited locations including the Ceduna Waters development, Ceduna Youth Hub, the new Drug and Alcohol Centre and the new facilities at Ceduna Hospital.
Both his Excellency and his wife received a warm welcome at Crossways Lutheran School, where both Crossways and Ceduna Area School students were able to meet with the Governor and learn about the procedures of Government and the Democratic Process.
They were also presented with a mosaic made by Crossways student Kiama Duckford.
His Excellency said the Government likes to take the opportunity to meet with the students and see how they are developing.
“We take every opportunity to check with students to see how they are developing, as they are the future for our state,” he said.
Crossways Principal Barb Cybulka said it was a great honour to host the Governor and his wife at the school.
“We’re highly honoured to have the Governor here at the school, it shows the students are a valued part of our community,” she said.
Area School principal Jim Michalanney said the Governor visited the school on his last visit and it was a great opportunity to catch up and inform him on how the school has developed since then.
“It was also important for the student representatives to learn about his roles and how he helps and maintains the democratic process in South Australia,” he said.
“We appreciate the time he has given to meet with us.”
Soon afterwards, both the Governor and Mrs Scarce met with councillors from District Council of Ceduna for an informal lunch.
Ceduna Mayor Allan Suter said it is always a pleasure for the Governor to visit Ceduna.
“We have been very fortunate for his Excellency to take the time to visit us,” he said.
“He and his wife Elizabeth always get everyone feeling comfortable very quickly, it is great to have them here.”
Governor Kevin Scarce also honoured the contributions of volunteers in the community, meeting with several SES, CFS and SA Ambulance volunteers.
His Excellency said volunteers are an important element of many rural communities.
“Volunteers are a vital part of the community, especially in the country where they are of great importance,” he said.
The Governor was also able to present SES volunteer Christopher Stockham with his new Basic Rescue certificate.
SES Unit Manager Peter Codrington said the Governor’s visit was very important to all the volunteers in Ceduna.
“It is very important to see him extend his appreciation for what they do for the community,” he said.
On August 7, the visit continued with a trip to Smoky Bay and Streaky Bay.
His Excellency was able to visit the local oyster farms and see the redeveloped Smoky Bay jetty and its new shelters.
His Excellency said the jetty was truly a great community effort.
“It is an outstanding community effort to see this small community be able to raise around $600,000 cash and coin for the project,” he said.
“I’m amazed such a small community can raise these funds and achieve their goals like they did.”
Grant Cotton, who supervised the construction of the jetty shelters, said it was great to see the Governor recognise their work.
“We all feel honoured to see him and his wife come down and have a look at the work we were able to do,” he said.
Overall the trip to the West Coast was an eventful and successful one for Governor Kevin Scarce and his wife Elizabeth, who visited the region for the first time.
Mrs Scarce said she was looking forward to seeing what the West Coast had to offer.
“This has been my first time visiting the West Coast, and I am very impressed with what I have seen, there is a lot going on within this region,” she said.
