Riverside corps officer named Gawler Citizen of the Year
BY JEM NASH*
The South Australian town of Gawler has announced its Australia Day honours recipients, with Riverside Salvos Corps Officer Major Darren Dwyer winning the top award.
Darren has been named Gawler’s Citizen of the Year for his tireless efforts in the community, particularly around homelessness, headlined by the annual Hope Cup Cricket Challenge.
Now in its third year, the Hope Cup is a community event held each November that raises funds to assist and support people who are sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness in Gawler and surrounding areas.
Darren is a strong advocate for improving homelessness and the lives of those around him, opening The Salvation Army church for the homeless to have a shower and a meal and providing emergency relief and food parcels, clothing, and transport for the elderly for appointments.
Darren said it was a “complete surprise” when he was informed of the honour but declined to take credit, instead giving it to the people around him.
“As most people will know, I’ve got a fantastic team that do all the hard work and make me look good,” he said.
“That’s it, I’ve just got a fantastic team around me, and whatever we turn our hand to, they just step up so they’re just fantastic. It’s about them, not me.”
Town of Gawler, in collaboration with the Gawler Apex Club, will hold its Australia Day Breakfast at Apex Park on 26 January where Darren will officially be presented with his award.
*Article courtesy of The Bunyip publication
