Meet the Pride of Australia Queensland finalists

QUEENSLANDERS are a rare breed and this year's finalists for the Pride of Australia award are no different. SEE WHO THEY ARE

long-time teacher

QUEENSLANDERS are a rare breed. Our resilience, our optimism, our larrikin spirit is always close to the surface.

That brand of character is on display every year during the Pride of Australia Medal program.

This year is no different. The calibre of finalist is as high as it has ever been, with finalists exuding courage, passion and compassion in spades.

They are special people and deserve their place here today. We salute their extraordinary efforts and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

We also congratulate and thank the hundreds of inspirational nominees from across the state. - Peter Gleeson, editor, The Sunday Mail

OUTSTANDING BRAVERY

RODNEY HARTWIG

As the flooding Burnett River was ravaging his own property at Eidsvold, west of Bundaberg, in late January, Rodney Hartwig, 63, was out trying to save neighbour Lucy Connolly. Trying to reach her first in a ute, then a tractor in the dark, Rodney and son Graham launched a tinny at dawn to search. The pair navigated the boat in half-light through debris, submerged trees, livestock and power lines, to finally find Lucy who had clung for five hours to the top a tree.

KAY SEYMOUR

When a man fell on to the tracks of Wooloowin train station in Brisbane's north in May, Kay Seymour, 42, put her nursing training into action. Even knowing the next train was due in six minutes, the Bracken Ridge mum-of-three leapt on to the lines without hesitation. Kay checked his alertness and vital signs before helping the confused man to his feet and back on to the platform. Even knowing Wooloowin has regular express freight and passenger trains, Kay says she'd do it all again.

Kay Seymour

GARRY HOCKINGS

A routine patrol turned into a life-saving drama for Bowen security guard Garry Hockings, 54. Garry was on patrol about 4am when he smelled smoke. He investigated to find a house with flames shooting out windows and smoke pouring from the roof. Hearing coughing from inside, he kicked in the locked front door, found a barely conscious man on the floor of a smoke-filled bedroom and dragged him to safety. Garry used a garden hose to fight the fire, which took two fire crews 40 minutes to extinguish.

COURAGE

MATTHEW AMES

Matthew Ames' story in Q Weekend magazine sparked an outpouring of admiration and inspiration. In 2012 Matthew's body was attacked by the streptococcal A bacteria. On the verge of death and in an induced coma, his family had to decide for him to amputate all four limbs to stop the bacteria spreading through his body to save his life. Knowing Matthew, 39, would choose life as an amputee over death, wife Diane agreed. His courage, stoicism and positive attitude since the surgery have been inspiring.

MATTHEW GOLINKSI

On Boxing Day 2011 a Sunshine Coast fire claimed the lives of Rachael, Starlia, Willow and Sage Golinski - wife and daughters of chef Matt Golinski. In trying to save them, Matt, 40, suffered third-degree burns to 40 per cent of his body and spent eight weeks in a coma and four months in hospital. Matt's determination and spirit stunned doctors and his family - he left intensive care earlier than expected, pushed himself doggedly in rehab and never complained about the string of painful skin grafts required.

NIGEL HYLAND

A heart attack and cancer haven't stemmed Nigel Hyland's passion for running or his fundraising for victims of natural disasters. In 2009 Nigel, 55, suffered a heart attack requiring two aortic stents and two years later was diagnosed with leukaemia. But by mid-2012 he was back running marathons. This year he organised a 48-hour charity relay run, raising $11,000 for victims of the Tasmanian bush fires, and in May organised Queensland's inaugural 48-hour charity relay run raising $10,000 for victims of the 2013 Queensland floods.

HEROISM

MATTHEW BRANDON, SCOTT SALISBURY AND GARTH SNAIDERO

The miraculous rescue of a toddler in a dive bag in Queensland's January floods made global headlines, but portrayed only part of the heroism of the men of RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue 300. Flying in heavy rain, poor visibility and often at treetop height, the crew in one day rescued nine people stranded on and in vehicles on a highway near Rockhampton. The final rescue involved a car washed off the road and pinned against a power pole, with its occupants forced to scramble on to the roof.

MITCHELL CONNAUGHTON

Mitchell Connaughton didn't just show valour in battle, but honour and duty away from it as well. Deployed to Afghanistan in 2011, Mitchell showed courage under fire and skill in first-aid, and was commended by the Australian Defence Force for one incident where he "organised and directed the treatment of casualties and displayed considerable leadership". When an Afghan soldier killed three of his platoon in October 2011, Mitchell, 23, decided to honour the memory of one, Lance Corporal Luke Gavin, by starting a fund for Luke's three children.

Mitchell Connaughton is a pride of Australia nominee for heroism. Pic Megan Slade.

CARL DERNEHL, MICHAEL GLOVER AND SCOTT HUNTER

Firefighters Carl Dernehl and Scott Hunter and policeman Detective Michael Glover risked their lives to rescue many of the 1000 people and 300 animals evacuated in January's Bundaberg North floods. For six hours, Carl and Michael waded often waist-deep through rapids and over submerged fences to evacuate residents. Scott was in and out of boats all day rescuing residents, and at one point waded across a wild stretch of water with a small boat to reach 100 stranded people and ferried them to larger boats for evacuation.

INSPIRATION

COLLETTE BRICKHILL

In a 36-year teaching career - 30 at Townsville's St Margaret Mary's College - Collette Brickhill, 57, has been an English and business teacher, Year 8 co-ordinator and assistant to the principal in religious education. But her extra-curricular contribution sets her apart. As a long-time St Vincent de Paul member, she initiated a "Teen Vinnies" group at school, works tirelessly for Townsville's indigenous community, homeless and destitute and organises student visits to members of the refugee community and to nursing homes to foster understanding of and respect for the elderly.

Collette Brickhill, a long-time teacher at St Margaret Mary's College, Townsville, has been nominated for a Pride of Australia award

GRAHAM PAMPLING

Blind for about 30 years from a hereditary condition, Graham Pampling is best known as Brisbane's saxophone-playing Blind Busker. But Graham, 74, also teaches vision-impaired children to use computers using a talking tutor program, making a difference to the lives of many children and their families, who this year number 45. In his spare time he co-ordinates supporters and visits children to set up talking computers at home. Much of the money Graham raises from busking goes toward supporting the children under his tutelage.

CHRIS WIGHTON

Chris Wighton, 56, is a school youth worker who was paralysed after falling and breaking his back on a mountain bike ride in 2012. Chris heeded his own advice to "get on board and make a difference", and by last March was back at work at Cairns' Redlynch College and Flexible Learning Centre helping troubled and disadvantaged youth. The former carpenter began volunteering with Youthlink in the 1990s and since worked variously supporting indigenous children, in disability support and re-engaging truant youth with schools.

CARE AND COMPASSION

SANDRA KELLY

Sandra Kelly from Kuranda near Cairns has battled floods, heat and distance to help the frail, aged and disabled in the most remote parts of Queensland. Sandra has spent 50 years helping others, ensuring people in the bush enjoy the same services as those in the city as a full-time indigenous health trainer and co-ordinator. Even at 72, Sandra spends four days a week on the road 40 weeks a year and even volunteers in her spare time in the Solomon Islands or Cambodia.

DR JAMES MORTON

In 2001 Dr James Morton and wife Louise learned son Andrew, 2, had autism. They found an early-intervention program, but when that closed in 2003, the pair used savings to buy and convert a church into an autism pre-school with an early-intervention program for ages 2-5, called AEIOU. Starting with 12 children in 2005, AEIOU today helps 200 children in nine Queensland centres. In 1999 James, 50, began the World's Greatest Shave, this year involving more than 28,000 fundraisers, and raising almost $160 million in its lifetime.

ANNABEL PIKE

Due to her sporting and volunteer activity at school, Annabel Pike, 22, received early entry into a Bachelor of Nursing as part of her university's Early Achievers Program. In 2012 she was the Mater Hospital's Graduate Nurse of the Year, Australia's Outstanding Graduate Nurse in May and won an Excellence Award in Palliative Care. And she has achieved this despite being profoundly deaf. Annabel also volunteers for the Hear and Say Centre (helping deaf children) and the Pyjama Angels Foundation (supporting foster families), having raised $25,000.

YOUNG LEADER

JOSEPH MILLER

Still only a high school student, Wynnum's Joseph Miller, 14, has already changed the lives of hundreds of Burmese school children. His passion for improving the lives of orphaned and abandoned Burmese children has seen him visit the region several times with charity MyKids Australia. When aged just 13, Joseph made his first trip to the region to deliver educational materials and clothes to about 100 children after raising money at home. Joseph is also involved in Clean Up Australia Day and in organising local benefit concerts.

LARYSSA PERKINS

Laryssa Perkins has volunteered in remote villages in Thailand, Burma, Laos and Fiji, building bathrooms and teaching English. When just 13, Laryssa hosted a fundraising event for the SIDS and Kids charity, which was so successful, it has become an annual event supported by her local community. The 17-year-old dancer also raises money for Multiple Sclerosis Australia and International Women's Day with fun runs and bike rides, serves food for homelessness organisation Rosies (Friends on the Street) and helps RSL Queensland with ANZAC Day commemorations.

Larrysa Perkins

JACK SINCLAIR

Jack Sinclair has punished his body to change the lives of homeless youth. Jack helps run the Sydney to Surfers Charity Bike Ride, raising more than $1 million since its inception for Youth off the Streets. At 15 he cycled 4500km across Australia in 30 days to raise money for a youth-mentoring charity. At 18, he averaged more than a marathon a day for 27 days running around Tasmania, in 2012 climbed Mt Kilimanjaro and in 2010 broke the schoolboy record for the 96km Kokoda Challenge - all for charity.

FAIR GO

TAHER FOROTAN

Taher Forotan helps new Australians suffering mental health issues resulting from their refugee experience or persecution in their homeland. A Hazara from central Afghanistan, Taher worked as a doctor in his war-torn country and was captured by the Taliban who forced him to treat their wounded before he fled to Australia by boat. Since his arrival, Taher has worked with the Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT), providing practical, emotional and psychological support for victims of torture and refugee-related trauma.

JOSEPH YUNIS

Joseph Yunis came here in 2007 as a Sudanese refugee and became a leader for Brisbane's Sudanese youth. He was college captain at St. James College, and in 2012 got a Bachelor of Science, now working at the University of Queensland's Brain Institute, researching Parkinson's and dementia. That year he founded the Nuba Mountains Education Initiative to promote education among local Nuba youth, develop Nuba culture in Australia and promote education in Sudan. He raised $2000 by collecting disused mobile phones, funding the school fees for two Sudanese refugees who fled to Uganda.

Joseph Yunis from Chermside

RAROTOGA TEVITA

Born in Samoa and working as a police officer in New Zealand for 24 years, Raratoga Tevita brought his experience and passion to Redcliffe. He works as a Police Liaison Officer, acting as a go-between for young Indigenous, Pacific Islanders and Caucasians in the area, tackling racist graffiti and tensions between groups. With his experience and knowledge, Raratoga has helped stem school truancy, domestic violence and problems with local youth and increased cultural understanding among fellow officers, even organising a trip to Samoa to foster their understanding.

ENVIRONMENT

DONNA ANTHONY

Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, Donna Anthony wholeheartedly gives her time to the care of animals in need. Since working with Sunshine Coast wildlife volunteers program, The Wilvos, 15 years ago, Donna has helped boost volunteer numbers and the group's capacity to help animals in need by teaching the public what to do when finding an injured animal. The dedicated animal lover has saved countless native wildlife numbers through her personal care, but even more so through the lessons she shares with others.

DAVID DEFRANCISCIS

David Defranciscis calmly found solutions to the growing tensions between governments and cane growers when the industry was forced to embrace change. The Ayr cane grower and his peers faced government changes to acceptable levels of nitrogen and phosphorus used in sugar cane cultivation in 2009 that threatened profitability, security and supply. In his role at the Industry Reference Group David helped farmers to embrace the changes and facilitated vital information to ensure the measures did not compromise farmers' confidence or viability, while still embracing the changes.

DR KAREN COOMBES

Moving into 41ha of rainforest on the Atherton Tableland, Dr Karen Coombes was struck by the number of Lumholtz Tree kangaroos on the property. With a background in wildlife care, veterinary nursing and research, Karen decided to learn more about the threatened species, doing a PhD in their ecology, later establishing the first Tree Kangaroo Hospital with partner Neil MacLauchlan, caring for countless numbers of the injured animals. Karen also shares her passion with others, educating people through speeches and writing children's books to educate younger generations.

Dr Karen Coombes

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

RONALD BANKS, ROBERT CLARKE, ROBERT HEEROMA, MARK JONES, DAVID MACDONALD, SHARON PERRY, RODNEY POWER, COLIN STANLEY and JOSEF THOMASSEN

The nominees are an integral part of the 75 volunteers at Braking The Cycle - a Police Citizens Youth Clubs' program helping young people get driving licences. With many young people struggling to achieve 100 hours of supervised driving (to obtain provisional licences) and to find jobs without a licence, the group supervises their driving and counsels them on the importance of employment. The participants are all "at risk" youth who suffer social isolation, financial hardship or poor family support and also benefit from the volunteers' mentoring role.

JAY LARKINS

Jay Larkins coaches one of the biggest disability football programs in Australia. Jay's son Jarrod was diagnosed with cerebral palsy aged 2, but was able to play soccer in regular teams for several years with orthotics and plasters. But when that became no longer possible, Jay, 61, created his own team - of one. He encouraged other cerebral palsy children to join him, then other children followed. Today Jay's 35-strong squad has children with autism, Asperger's and Downs syndrome and amputees, and boasts four Australian Pararoos, including Jarrod, 21.

DONNA REGGETT

The lack of official recognition for children of soldiers spurred Donna Reggett to create the Military Kids Recognition Medal. When her husband was deployed in 1994, their two daughters received a Defence Force certificate to acknowledge the family's sacrifice. When Donna learned this no longer occurs, she created the medal which was presented to about 4000 children last year for "perseverance on the home front". Money raised goes to helping military families. Donna has also run two tours to Bali for wives of veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.

CHILD OF COURAGE

JAI BARBER

Jai Barber was born with an excessive build-up cerebrospinal fluid around the brain. Jai, 14, has had to have 17 neurosurgical operations, suffers multiple food allergies and nutritional mal-absorption requiring several supplementary feeds per day via a gastrostomy button. Despite this, Jai has almost achieved black belt in tae kwon do, did the 2013 Kokoda Challenge to support Legacy, raises funds for global development charity Oaktree Foundation, is an Air Force cadet and advocate for war veterans. This year he gained entry into the Queensland Academy of Health Science for Grade 10 with the aim of becoming a paediatric neurosurgeon.

JORDAN HANN

Townsville's Jordan Hann was born without arms and so is forced to use his feet for the everyday tasks we take for granted. Jordan, 10, has amazed everyone with his outlook and determination, having taught himself to put on a shirt and even brush his teeth. Last year the community rallied to buy Jordan a purpose-built foot-controlled bicycle, a computer with voice-recognition technology and specialised swimming lessons. Jordan's strength of character and incredible courage have set him apart.

CAITLYN MEIKLEJOHN

In 2011 Warwick's Caitlyn Meiklejohn, 11, was diagnosed with a brain tumour and a rare form of diabetes resulting from the tumour. After rejecting a risky biopsy, Caitlyn later opted for the procedure followed by months of chemotherapy and radiation treatment - with more to come. Despite the exhausting treatment, Caitlyn began fundraising, getting many locals to shave their heads, ultimately raising $13,000 for Camp Quality. Even during treatment this year, she did a community bike ride and organised a basketball game, to raise money for Camp Quality.

THE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SEPTEMBER 30