Rainbow humbled by recognition
Karen Rainbow was on Thursday night named the Dorset Citizen of the Year.
January 29, 2025
Karen Rainbow has been announced as the 2025 Dorset Citizen of the Year.
The founder of Scottsdale’s Red Dirt Café was humbled by the recognition and said she could not do what she does without the important support of family, friends and a generous community.
The food and friendship group allows anyone in the Dorset community to meet once a week for a free meal and social catchup with no judgement.
Since it started 18 months ago, Karen has led a team of volunteers who coordinate the weekly offering, with 3200 meals served.
The former Dorset Volunteer of the Year Award winner said it was an honour to be named the Citizen of the Year in a community she loves.
“Seriously I’m so honoured. Wow, it’s gobsmacking,” she said.
“And you know what? I love what I do. It rocks my world. And this community - I just don’t have the words for how generous, kind and trusting they are towards anything I set off to do. They are a special bunch and we are super lucky.”
Dorset’s Young Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Tori Hall for her outstanding leadership skills and active involvement in Dorset with various sports, employment, and through her school network.
The recent Grade 10 Scottsdale High School graduate was a recipient of the Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize last year, travelling to the Western Front in Belgium and France last Anzac Day.
The Dorset Volunteer of the Year Award went to dual recipients, Mary Brown and Elizabeth Somerville.
Mary was recognised for her valued work in the community, especially for the Legerwood Catering Group, where she spends countless hours cooking, selling raffle tickets and helping where possible.
Mary’s nominator said she always she does everything with compassion and puts the community first.
Elizabeth has been involved with the Scottsdale Military Museum since its inception and was appointed to the management committee when it was opened in 2015.
She has until recently held the position of Treasurer and has spent many hours assisting the Sub-Branch Museum Committee to get finance approvals, the museum built, organising the display items and sourcing new exhibits.
Her nomination said the Scottsdale RSL Sub-Branch and the veteran community, along with the many Dorset veteran family members, owe Elizabeth our enduring thanks for her many tireless volunteer hours she has contributed.
Tulip and Oak owner Kellie Jackson was a finalist in the Citizen of the Year Award and was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for her efforts in the municipality since relocating to Ringarooma from Melbourne four years ago.
“In the small amount of time that Kellie has lived in Ringarooma, she has earnt the respect of the town (and is) always looking for ways she can help improve it and get the community involved. Kellie Jackson brings a high degree of value, in business, social and wellbeing to Ringarooma and the North-East Tassie,” her nomination stated.
The presentation evening at Scottsdale’s Mechanics’ Institute Hall was attended by more than 100 people and included an Australia Day address from ambassador Rosie Martin, a clinical speech pathologist and 2017 Tasmanian Australian of the Year, who spoke about the importance of communication and providing literacy opportunities for everyone, including prison inmates.
Dorset Council also put on a free Australia Day session at the Scottsdale Aquatic Centre on Sunday with dozens of people enjoying free activities including a snag on the BBQ.
Dorset Australia Day Citizen of the Year Karen Rainbow flanked by Australia Day Ambassador Rosie Martin and Council General Manager John Marik.