2017 Citizen of the Year Peter Bunyan and Young Citizen of the Year Sabine Conolly have been presented Australia Day Awards as part of the annual celebrations held in Atherton today.
The ceremony which recognised and acknowledged some exceptional people within the Tablelands communities also welcomed 21 new Australia Citizens.
“Australia Day Awards are about recognising and celebrating members of our community who go above and beyond. Often they are unsung heroes, working tirelessly behind the scenes,” said Mayor Joe Paronella as part of his address.
“We have lots of extraordinary people who give up their time to help ensure local sporting clubs thrive, inclusive and fun events are available throughout the year, our economy prospers or to assist others. Without community volunteers we wouldn’t have local SES, Rural Fire Brigades, Visitor Information Centres, sport and recreation clubs, business and industry groups, or fundraising and special events to name a few.
“I would like to acknowledge the commitment to our community displayed by our emergency services personnel, hospital staff and the Council workforce who strive to deliver quality outcomes for the communities we serve and who work together at times of need to ensure the safety of residents.
“We are extremely fortunate to have robust disaster management arrangements and a history of good working relationships across multiple sectors. It is extremely pleasing to see the collaborations and positive interactions happening across the region in our unique towns and across community service groups to continually improve where we live. Thanks to all of you who give something back to your community without a thought for reimbursement or recognition.
“Let us continue to work together, embracing our differences, to create a sense of place that we are proud of, a safe community where our children and grandchildren feel cherished and new opportunities and challenges are tackled with enthusiasm and hope.”
The 2017 Australia Day Award winners are:
Citizen of the Year – Peter Bunyan
Young Citizen of the Year – Sabine Conolly
Community Event of the Year – Malanda Centenary Show
Innovation and Industry Award – Startup and Innovation Tablelands
Senior Cultural Award – Trevor and Connie Duncan
Junior Cultural Award – Bridie Freeman
Senior Sports Award – Pamela Evans
Junior Cultural Award – Travis Wadley
Nominees for each category include:
Citizen of the Year
Peter Bunyan
Peter has been a tireless worker in our community for over 40 years. He has been a member of the Atherton Lions Club since 1979 and held positions including President, Zone Chairman, Youth of the Year Chairman and Director. Peter was instrumental in beautifying Lions Park, the construction of the Atherton Meals on Wheels building, working bees at Platypus Park and fundraising for a trailer to deliver medical beds to private homes for palliative care. Peter is a founding member of the Atherton Lions Markets and Connection Generation 3 – Technology for Seniors. Currently Peter is the Treasurer of the Atherton Regional Botanic Lions Park Committee. Peter holds a life membership with the Atherton Turf Club after joining them in 1978. He has held the position of President and Vice President and has been the race track manager for over 20 years including honorary judge for 13 years.
Leslie (Les) Green
Les lives and breathes the Fire Brigade. Les is dedicated to his volunteer work and has a passion for teaching, firefighting and looking after the Tinaroo Rural Fire Brigade members. He spends countless hours at the Rural Fire Brigade shed either fixing equipment, mowing, gardening or working on the next training session. Les is one of the founding members of the Tinaroo Rural Fire Brigade and has been the First Officer, Deputy Fire Warden, Lakes Group Founding Officer and Training Officer over the last 18 years. Les is currently the Area Coordinator for the Disaster Management Committee and is a current member of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Operational Strategic Working Group and Tableland Fire Management Group. In December 2016 Les received the Commissioner’s Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Award for Excellence.
Gavin Johnson
Gavin has been involved with the Cancer Council Queensland (CCQ) for almost 18 years. Gavin is the Branch Treasurer and in 2009 took on the role of Tablelands Relay for Life Inaugural Chairman, helping to start the annual Tablelands Relay for Life event which raises much needed funds towards research and support for CCQ. The 2016 Relay for Life marked a significant fundraising milestone of over $1 million dollars. Gavin has been involved with many different campaigns including the Terry Fox Run, Queensland Cancer Fund Door Knock, Girls Night In, Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, Daffodil Day and countless cake stalls and sausage sizzles. Gavin is a tireless volunteer doing his bit to ensure those receiving treatment for cancer have a brighter future.
Graham Rae
Graham is an inspirational role model in the Ravenshoe community. Graham played a vital role in setting up the Ravenshoe Mens Shed and spends much of his time at the shed teaching, helping and guiding members. Over the last three years Graham has been a driving force behind Drought Relief, trucking hay and donations to drought affected farmers. Last year Graham organised for families affected by the drought to attend the Torimba Festival for a well-earned rest with all expenses covered. Graham is currently the Chairman of the Ravenshoe Visitor Centre ensuring visitors to the town receive a warm welcome and the volunteers are supported. Graham has a high level of integrity and is always willing to lend a hand to support his community.
Diana Reda
Diana is passionate about ensuring local children with disabilities have access to the best educational facilities and support. In 2015 she lobbied politicians, inviting them to Atherton State High School. Her efforts resulted in completion in 2016 of the new Special Education Unit, one of the best in regional Queensland. Diana volunteers much of her time to assist families as well as supporting her own children. In April 2016 Diana and two others started the Tableland Autism Support Group which supports parents, carers, community and individuals to understand and cope with autism. Diana is currently Treasurer and her vision over the next few years is to find funding to educate families, especially fathers, on how to cope with and understand the challenges of raising a child with a disability.
Alan Stokes
Alan volunteers in many different areas of Tablelands sporting and community life. In 2009 Alan became the driving force behind revitalising the Butchers Creek Hall and is the current President. Alan has overseen massive hall improvements and regular community functions. He is also a tireless volunteer and committee member for the Peeramon Pig Hunt. Over the last ten years Alan has been a pivotal member of the Malanda Junior and Senior Rugby League Club of which he has been the President for the last six years. Alan volunteers his time on Saturdays to referee games, representative carnivals and finals fixtures, conduct ground maintenance, manage games and volunteers. Alan is also a founding member of the Malanda Bull Ride and works tirelessly to ensure the event is a success.
Pat Wilds
Pat has faithfully volunteered her time and energies at the Atherton Swimming Pool for the past 22 years. Pat is at the swimming pool every weekday morning leading exercise classes. She is a great motivator and inspires people to stay fit and healthy regardless of age. Through her exercise classes Pat has built a wonderful supportive community with many friendships created over the years. Pat chairs exercises at Carinya Home for the Aged on weekends and is often the taxi for many Carinya residents to bring them to the swimming pool. Our community is a better place to live because of Pat’s commitment to preserving good health and quality of life for the elderly.
Young Citizen of the Year
Sabine Conolly
Sabine is a passionate sixteen year old who is a very active community member on issues relating to women and youth. In 2016 Sabine attended the Queensland Youth Parliament where her team presented a bill on youth homelessness. Sabine has participated in several community consultations on youth issues with the Queensland Attorney General. She has also been involved in fundraising events such as Relay for Life, Biggest Morning Tea, Junior Diabetes Research Fund, and Maize Festival (2016 Maize Queen runner up). Sabine organised and hosted the Community Dinner Forum to discuss local issues relating to women and youth raising funds for the Tableland’s Women’s Centre (TWC). As winner of the ‘Not Now, Not Ever’ domestic violence campaign competition, she donated her prize money back to the TWC. In February Sabine will travel to New York to attend the United Nations Youth Forum.
Jessica Honan
Throughout her years at Atherton State High School Jessica has consistently modeled outstanding academic, leadership, cultural and sporting behavior. In 2016 Jessica was School Captain and Secretary of the Student Council. Jessica was named the Young Citizen of the Year and received an Order of Australia Youth Citizenship Medal as part of the Australia Day 2016 Honours. She participated in the Lions Youth of the Year and achieved both the local and zone overall champion and public speaking champion. Jessica was also the Queensland Premier’s ANZAC prize winner travelling to Turkey, France and Belgium for Anzac Day. She participated in the United Nations Youth North Queensland conference and was Diplomat of the Year. Awarded the Bond University scholarship, Jessica traveled to New York and Washington DC where she participated in the RSL Youth Development Programme. Jessica is also a member of Interact and participated in a number of fundraising events throughout the year.
Senior Cultural Award (over 18 years of age)
Connie and Trevor Duncan
Trevor is a member of the Atherton Rotary Club and along with his wife Connie, established Tastes of the Tablelands in 2007. This event has grown under their auspice to become an annual signature event for the region with more than 6,000 people attending, and showcasing all of the best and boutique produce from this diverse agricultural region. They have both remained involved in this successful event as pivotal volunteers. Connie and Trevor were also instrumental in bringing alive the Rocky Creek Igloo through the Igloo Ball held in October 2016 as well as through Rotary helping to raise funds for its restoration.
Junior Cultural Award (under 18 years of age)
Bridie Freeman
Bridie is a young, passionate Aboriginal woman, part of the Jirrbal tribe, from Herberton. In 2016 she was School and Sports Captain at Herberton State School and represented her school and the community at events and functions. Bridie represented the Jirrbal people and Aboriginal Elders both past and present by delivering Welcome to Country and traditional acknowledgement speeches at these events. Bridie organised a successful NAIDOC celebration and attended the Close the Gap Day celebrations at Mount St Bernard College, where she delivered a joint Welcome to Country with the School Captain also from the Jirrbal people. Bridie is inspired to continue on her path of cultural leadership, demonstrating her confidence, passion and pride in her culture and community.
Senior Sports Award (over 18 years of age)
Pamela Evans
Pamela has volunteered as a committee member for the Malanda Horse and Pony Club for the last four years and in 2016 was the club’s Treasurer. Pamela has been the driving force behind sourcing funding to complete the undercover arena at the club. She is a committee member and riding member of the club and also provides first class riding and horsemanship instruction to the equestrian community. In 2016 Pamela was successful in receiving a grant to run a school for junior riders who received instruction from national accredited coaches. Pamela continues to strive for more improvements to the club and is working hard to secure funds to build a unisex toilet and bathroom complex at the showgrounds.
Megan Hendry
Megan is a self-trained triathlete who trains twice a day, five-six days a week. She discovered her love for the sport after competing in the 2014 Yungaburra Triathlon and since then has achieved success in many triathlons. Last year Megan qualified for the World Championships where she placed 3rd in her age group and 7th overall. At the World Ironman Championships in September Megan finished 28th in her age group and placed 10th Australian female in her age group. She is an auxiliary firefighter and competed at the Australasian Police & Emergency Services Games in November last year where she won the open women’s category and finished 5th overall. Megan also participates in local cycling events and touch football. She is a great role model and inspiration to all young athletes on the Tablelands.
Junior Sports Award (under 18 years of age)
Aiden Carson
Aiden is twelve years old and has been an integral part of the Malanda State School sporting teams including House Captain. In 2016 Aiden made the Tablelands district representative team in several sports including T20 cricket champions, Billy Slater League Tag – mixed champions, FNQ Schools Rugby League champions, Regional Touch Football champions and Queensland Junior Cricket Under 12 State Championships. In addition to playing in these representative teams Aiden was selected and played in the Under 12 Peninsula teams for touch football, cricket and rugby league, which is a huge achievement for any student. Aiden has been a positive role model for the school’s younger students, showing maturity beyond his years and at all times demonstrated strong leadership.
Jhidan Dikes
In 2016 Jhidan was selected in the Tableland and District teams for rugby league, cross country, hockey, cricket and touch football. He was selected in the Peninsula Touch Football Team and awarded the age champion at the Interschool Athletics carnival. Jhidan was named Rugby League Player of the Year. He participated in the NQ Junior Touch Football team and Interschool White Ribbon Carnival where both teams were the grand final champions. Jhidan is in the final selections for the NQ Cyclones Touch Football representative team for 2017 and has also been awarded a High School bursary. Jhidan is a role model for fellow athletes and consistently shows a great attitude to his teammates, ensuring a high standard of sportsmanship.
Toby Greenwood
Two years ago after an injury on the BMX track, Toby switched to mountain bike racing and has not looked back. In 2016 Toby competed in 18 races and achieved 16 podium finishes. Toby took first place in the U15s MTBA National Gravity Enduro Championships and third in the U15s Queensland State Enduro Championships. He placed first in the junior pairs local ELEV8XCM mountain bike event in Atherton and again in the Mareeba Schools junior team competition. In the Cairns MTB Club Enduro Series U19s, Toby placed first, second and third throughout the series, and first and second in the Townsville Rockwheelers Enduro Series U19s. He participated in the Cairns TB Club Downhill Series U15s and placed first, third and fourth throughout the series. Toby is a great advocate for the Atherton Tablelands and is well respected by riders and competitors for his disciplined approach to training and racing.
Karla Mead
Karla is a twelve year old from Malanda with an ambition to be on the Australia Water Ski Team one day, and has been selected by Ski Racing Australia to try out for the Australian Team for the 2017 World Championships. In 2016 Karla placed first in the Under 13 Girls Australian Titles and third overall in the Under 13 Boys and Girls age group. She was named the 2016 Most Improved Female Skier across Australia and placed first in Queensland State Titles Under 13 Girls and Under 13 age group. Karla has also taken first place in the Cairns to Green Island Junior Class, NSW 2016 Season Under 13 Girls and Junior Social Class ski races. Karla placed first in the Hawkesbury 120 race, and second with her partner in the 112km Sydney Bridge-to-Bridge ski race Under 16 Boys Social. Karla is very focused and determined, training hard and aiming for her goals.
Kristen Wadley
Kristen won the Girl’s World Championships in sailing for a fifth year in a row in France and came second overall in a fleet of 126 international competitors. This win followed on from her overall U16 World Championship title achieved six months prior. A major highlight in 2016 for Kristen was her selection as part of the Queensland Sailing Team and being named the 2016 Queensland Junior Sports Star of the year. Kristen is a qualified Australian Sailing Assistant instructor and helps with the Tinaroo Sailing Club’s Junior learn-to-sail program and the running of Discover Sailing courses. Kristen has also had many successes with the Atherton High School sailing team. She trains on Lake Tinaroo twice weekly and most weekends and competes in club racing, teams racing and local, national and international regattas. Kristen is also a member of the Atherton Swimming Club squad, attends Crossfit to maintain her fitness and is a straight A student at school.
Travis Wadley
At only eleven years of age Travis’ sporting achievements in sailing are not only a reflection of his talent but also his dedication to training. Travis recently won the U13 Open Bic World Championships held in France where he competed against 55 international sailors. He also defended his World Team Sailing Championship for Australia having won the title at the previous World Championships. In 2016 Travis was chosen as Sports Captain at Atherton State Primary School and showed immense pride in leading his team throughout the year. This year Travis joins the Atherton High School sailing squad. Travis assists training junior sailors at the Tinaroo Sailing Club on Sunday mornings and hopes to become a qualified assistant sailing instructor this year. He shows an enormous dedication to the sport of sailing and his willingness to give up his time to teach new members how to sail demonstrates his passion for the sport.
Industry & Innovation Award
Dr Geraldine McGuire
As an Agricultural and Environmental Scientist, Geraldine has created and grown two innovative businesses on the Tablelands. Sustainable Solutions Global (SSG) is a world class consultancy business which operates in Indonesia, Laos, PNG, Fiji and Australia, providing employment for skilled and motivated young professionals. Geraldine’s second business, Rainforest Bounty has selected and propagated native fruits and developed them into delicious gourmet products. Rainforest Bounty runs a cooking school incorporating produce grown on the property. Rainforest Bounty utilises an innovative distribution model which supports and enables growers across Australia and internationally who are passionate about food and sustainable farming. Through her voluntary roles, Geraldine encourages and mentors local businesses and farmers. She has a strong desire to create an entrepreneurial culture and meaningful local employment opportunities, especially for young people.
Startup and Innovation Tablelands
Startup and Innovation Tablelands (ST) has contributed to the local economy and society by opening up pathways for developing entrepreneurial mindsets and skillsets. ST is dedicated to capacity building for new and existing business owners and has become a source of educational opportunity and inspiration. ST has encouraged new ways of thinking and a community focusing on independence, innovation, collaboration and self-reliance. ST offers Tablelanders opportunities to learn about modern forms of business so they are able to create their own businesses. ST has brought substantial grant funding to the Tablelands to stage two major and unique events as well as dozens of smaller events and workshops. ST sees the combination of innovation and agriculture to be the way forward for our region, and are working on ways to make the Tablelands more investment friendly and ready.
Community Event of the Year
ECHO’s 25th Birthday Celebrations & Community Fun Day – 29 October 2016
Eacham Community Health Organisation (ECHO) celebrated 25 years with an event that reflected what is at the heart of ECHO – encouragement, support and enablement. All members of the community were invited to take part, providing an opportunity for groups and clubs to showcase what they do. The event included activities from old fashioned games to yoga, cake decorating, yabbie races, sumo wrestling, great prizes and delicious food. The event was free to attend and a total of 46 individuals, groups, clubs and businesses participated on the day, with 15 ECHO staff and volunteers helping at the event. The Community Fun Day raised funds for a local girl battling Leukemia and generated new partnerships for the community.
Malanda Centenary Show – 8-10 July 2016
The Malanda Show Society committee started raising local awareness and planning for this event two years earlier. The whole town came on board to give the area a facelift including the showgrounds. The committee reinstated the Show Queen and Show Ball and the street parade was the biggest in 20 years. The show itself was outstanding with the Governor of Queensland officially opening the show and record entries in every category. This event took a lot of hard work and dedication from many volunteers over a sustained length of time and through their tireless efforts Malanda’s 100th show was a huge success. It brought the town alive and involved many local people and businesses.
Ravenshoe Railway Centenary – 11 December 2016
The celebration of 100 years of railway in Ravenshoe saw hundreds of people turn up to celebrate this wonderful milestone for the town. The subcommittee planned a day of activities showcasing the railway’s significance to the timber industry, military operations during WWII and later as a passenger service from Cairns. The Minister of Transport officially opened the event which was free to attend and was well supported by the community and visitors. Activities throughout the celebration included tug-o-war and the Raven(shoe) thong throwing competition. The food and market stalls were well attended and music from various artists could be heard throughout the day.
Rotary Igloo Ball – 8 October 2016
The Rotary Club of Atherton hosted the Rotary Igloo Ball with a 1940’s theme for the community to celebrate the Rocky Creek Igloo restoration project. The ball brought life back into the venue that during WWII was the entertainment hub for soldiers based at the Australian General Hospital at Rocky Creek, the largest military hospital in the Southern Hemisphere, honoring the role the area played in the war. The First RAR band performed the hits of the 1940’s to the 120 attendees. The ball raised much needed funds for the Rotary Club to continue the restoration works and was a wonderful event enjoyed by all.
Family Fun Day and Swimathon – 26 November 2016
The Family Fun Day is an annual community event hosted by Swim Logic at the Atherton Swimming Pool to raise awareness of the importance of swimming safety. The day included free entry for all, jumping castle, swimathon prizes and water aerobics. Displays and resources were available on ways to improve the safety of young children in and around water, including Boo the mascot from the Laurie Lawrence ‘Kids Alive Do The Five’ community service program. Over the last five years the event has raised over $4,000 for the Atherton Hospital Auxiliary. Safety around water is an important educational message for the Tablelands community where swimming and water sports are an integral part of life.
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