Former primary school principal Chris Lewis has been named Citizen of the Year for The Yankalilla District.

Chris has given decades of service to the community since being posted to Rapid Bay primary schools in 1992.

His volunteer work includes the Yankalilla Golf and Bowls clubs; Yankalilla Memorial Park; Meals on Wheels; and the Lions and Apex clubs.

The newly created Active Citizen award goes to Gary Hogben for his outstanding work as a mental heath advocate, along with his role as a coach and mentor with many sporting and community organisations.

Perennial favourite the New Year’s Eve Pageant has again taken out the award for Community Event of the Year.

No award will be made in the category of Young Citizen of the Year, as no nominations were received before the closing date.

The District Council of Yankalilla decided on its Citizen of the Year awards at its December meeting. 

The award recipients will be celebrated at the Australia Day ceremony in Yankalilla Memorial Park on January 26.

The other Fleurieu councils keep their Citizen of the Year awards under wraps until Australia Day.