COMMUNITY champions have been honoured with a special Australia Day Awards ceremony, held at Bowen’s Flagstaff Hill, on Saturday (February 3).
Original plans for a combined Whitsunday Regional Council awards ceremony, citizenship ceremony and family fun day had to be cancelled, due to the potential weather threat posed by ex-TC Kirrily.
“This is the second year the Australia Day awards were staged as one inclusive and united community celebration, after a decision to consolidate the separate events was made, in 2022,” Mayor Julie Hall said.
“The venue for the Whitsunday Australia Day Award ceremony will rotate across the region each year, while the community organised traditional ceremony and breakfast at Collinsville will still take place.
“The regional awards are a tribute to our unsung heroes, who have made positive contributions to the lives of others and to the broader community, and who make our region a better place to live.”
The Collinsville Australia Day Awards Ceremony was also held, on Sunday (February 4), with breakfast at 9am and the awards ceremony commencing at 10am.
Whitsunday Regional Council congratulated everyone who was recognised in the Whitsunday Region Australia Day Awards 2024, including:
Citizen of the Year Christine Hinschen, Young Citizen of the Year Sam Rogers, Mayoral Award Danzel Lewis, Volunteer of the Year Sheryl Gordon, Community Event of the Year ‘Baby Welcoming Ceremony’ Bowen Lions Ladies Senior, Sportsperson Award Aimee Sulzberger, Junior Sportsperson Award Lillian Kelly, Environmental Achievement Award Whitsunday Conservation Council and
Arts & Cultural Award Gleezus: Teen Rock Band.
Meanwhile, the Collinsville Australia Day Awards Ceremony was held on Sunday, February 4, 2024, with the following people recognised.
Junior Sports Award Cooper Groocock, Senior Sports Award Almeroe de Nysschen, Environmental Achievement Award Collinsville Youth Coalition for National Tree Day, Volunteer of the Year Raymond Wallace, Community Event of the Year QCWA Collinsville Branch for ‘Do it for Dolly’ Day, Arts & Cultural Event of the Year Scottville State School for its NAIDOC Week event, Young Citizen of the Year Sarah Wilson and Citizen of the Year Kimmy Oliver.
