After seven years with the acclaimed Tourism Optimisation Management Model, Ms Duka departed on Friday to prepare for the birth of her second child after collecting a “pear” from the SA Great regional awards in Goolwa last Tuesday.

TOMM won the Innovation Award commending the tourism information project as a “ground-breaking model” receiving world-wide attention for the role it plays in measuring the economic, social, experiential and environmental impacts of tourism on Kangaroo Island.

Ms Duka said the 10-year-old program was entering a new phase of its development as the Kangaroo Island Council seeks to overhaul its structure and give it more independence.

Kangaroo Island collected six awards and commendations at the Goolwa ceremony.

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Tours, based in Parndana, was recognised as best small business for its unique nature and wildlife experience “that is recognised worldwide”. The business has increased its profile in the past 12 months, earning National Tourism Accreditation and being selected by the SA Tourism Commission among its top 15 operators in the state.

In the same category, Nepean Bay Tourist Park at Brownlow was awarded a commendation for its family owned park which had made significant improvements to its environmental credentials through water-saving and solar hot water initiatives.

Finding Workable Solutions, based in Victor Harbor but with an office in Kingscote, was named for the Large Business Award for its work in providing employment and vocational training to disadvantaged job seekers.

For the second consecutive year, Allan and Carol Miell, of American River won the Individual Award for their dedication “to ensure safety at sea at all times” with their work at American River Radio as part of the Australian Radio Rescue Service. The couple runs the station at their own expense and it is the second busiest radio station in SA, taking an average 200 calls a day.

Kangaroo Island Racing Club was commended in the SA Tourism Commission Award for “one of SA’s premier attractions on the racing calendar” through the “enthusiasm of the local people who are its driving force”.