Mayor's Message - April 2026
It is with pride that I had the honour of laying a wreath at the ANZAC Ceremony on Saturday, on behalf of the City of Port Lincoln. The Port Lincoln RSL conducted a moving Dawn Service with a powerful reflection by Brig McCammon, and a poignant farewell from President Gary Clough.
Over 10 years ago, I was privileged to offer an Australia Day Address for the City of Port Lincoln, and recall that in that speech, just as Brig McCammon referenced, our traditions and the culture of Australia are built on ‘mateship’. Mateship is that strong bond, intense loyalty, equality, mutual support, and a ‘fair go’ for all. Mateship is built on the unbreakable bonds forged on the battlefield, and seen in our community in the everyday kindness, helping, volunteering and resilience, that makes us so proud and uniquely ‘Australian’.
Thank you to the many volunteers from the RSL, the City Band, the leaders in the Anthem, the speakers and those that laid wreaths, for creating such a moving service. Thank you also, to those who took the time, to take an elderly grandparent, parent or aged care resident to the service. Sharing and participating in these memorial events, creates that important sense of belonging, of connection, and … of mateship.
During the week, there were also many SALT Festival performances and activities, and I congratulate the many volunteers and artists on providing entertainment for so many. It was a successful program, with something for everyone, and I hope you got to enjoy a performance, exhibition or activity.
Similarly, the Youth Week activities were also popular during the school holidays, and I again congratulate all those involved in providing activities during the week.
Council currently has an important piece of community consultation out for your comments and thoughts. It is, ironically, the Draft Community Engagement Policy! The policy sets out how Council engages, informs and consults with community on decisions that affect our city. Quite often, ‘word of mouth’ is how we find out about things going on in the community, and whilst we would like to tap into that, we also need to understand how YOU would like to receive information or provide feedback, and how we can support participation in Council decision-making. For me, community remains at the heart of every decision I think about, and it is about finding out what your thoughts are, and doing the best with the resources available and long term vision, to benefit all. Please help us identify the best ways of communicating with you, and obtaining your opinions.
During May, the Playspace area adjacent to the town jetty will be closed for scheduled maintenance works, and I encourage you to explore with your families, some of the other great playgrounds in Port Lincoln. Have you been to Whait Reserve, or Nelson Square since their upgrades, or tried out the flying fox at Puckridge Park?
Council is busy preparing Budgets for 2026-27, and we look forward to sharing this with you in the coming months. A reminder also, that this is a Council Election year, so please chat to family and friends about the difference they could make to community and decision-making, by becoming an elected member of Council. More information will be distributed about elections later in the year.
I finish this month’s newsletter with congratulations to Council, SRO Events, sponsors, stakeholders, volunteers and community, on winning the ‘Seafood Experience’ category of the Seafood Industry of South Australia’s (SISA) Award presentation for the Tunarama Festival! We also extend congratulations to Mr Andrew Puglisi for his induction into the SISA Hall of Fame, and other regional winners of awards including Yumbah Aquaculture, Angel Oysters, The Fresh Fish Place and Jack Henderson of Henderson Seafoods, as well as Mr Brian Jeffries amongst those recognised for their contribution to the seafood industry.
As always, my door is open, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.
Diana Mislov
Mayor, City of Port Lincoln
