North Burnett Australia Day Awards: Meet the 46 residents who earned top honours

From musicians and volunteers to teachers and athletes these are the nearly 50 residents who earned top honours in the North Burnett’s belated 2022 Australia Day Awards ceremony.

Nearly 50 people, including musicians, volunteers, teachers and athletes from across the North Burnett region have been awarded top honours at the region’s belated 2022 Australia Day ceremony.

Recipients from Gayndah to Monto were all honoured for their tireless work in their communities.

“While Australia Day 2022 has been and gone, the theme for Australia Day “Reflect, Respect, Celebrate, We’re all part of the story” is one that we can contemplate every day,” Mayor Les Hotz said.

“Over the past year we have faced continuous challenges from the coronavirus pandemic, floods, cyclones, drought and border closures.

“Today, we reflect on being surrounded by friends, family and community and the simple act of being together in person or online.

“Today we celebrate our own communities’ contributions and achievements.”

Meet your 2022 North Burnett Australia Day winners:

Regional Award Winners

Regional Citizen of the Year – Roger Stubbs, Monto

Roger Stubbs has devoted his life to serving the community, both as a firefighter and through the community organisations he has worked with.

In 2018, Roger was named as an award recipient in the Queens’ Birthday Honours and presented with the Commissioner’s Distinguished Service Medal.

Five years earlier in 2013, Roger had received the Australian Fire Service Medal as recognition of a distinguished 42-year career as a Queensland Firefighter. This is the highest honour that a firefighter can receive.

Roger was a foundation Life Member of Apex. For the Monto Golf Club, Roger has served in most committee roles over a twenty-year period.

As the club Convener for the Monto Bowls Club, Roger ensures that the club is always well stocked to serve its’ members and the public.

He has been a successful seeker of grant funding to make facility improvements and equipment upgrades for the Bowls Club; and was instrumental in organising Monto’s Friday night Barefoot Bowls.

In his spare time, Roger is also a lover of old cars (especially jaguars) and proves to be in great demand every year to transport high school students to their graduations.

Regional Young Citizen of the Year – Monique Dingle, Mt Perry

Monique is a very bright and capable young woman who has contributed to her community through participating and volunteering in the following local organisations and events: Mt Perry Show, Mt Perry CWA events, ANZAC Day ceremonies for Mt Perry community and through school, Mt Perry State School P&C events including bingo nights, trivia nights and performing and volunteering at the school’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations.

Whether it be selling goods, setting up events, packing and cleaning up after events or performing on her violin, Monique is keen to contribute. At school, Monique achieved to a high standard and received many awards and accolades for her efforts. Her polite manner and willingness to help is always greatly appreciated by her community.

Regional Volunteer of the Year – Barbara Gilby, Gayndah

As a committed but quiet achiever for the Gayndah Branch of the QCWA, the Gayndah Hospital Auxiliary, the Local Ambulance Committee, Red Cross, the former Gayndah YMCA, the M.S.Club, SES Ladies, Treasurer for the Welfare Club at Gunther Retirement Village, and a willing Mum serving on school canteens or football clubs for the past 35 years, Barb Gilby has been a dedicated and hardworking volunteer for her community.

Whether it is selling raffle tickets down the street, knitting jumpers for those in need, or organising the catering for a disaster event, Barb’s tireless service has always been undertaken with cheerfulness and passion for her community.

Regional Cultural Award – Dr Geoff Walden, Gayndah

Dr Geoff Walden moved to Gayndah five years ago after a highly productive 50-year career in music education and band development in Queensland. Instrumental in establishing the Australian Institute of Country Music in Gympie, Dr Geoff has been using his unlimited skills in musicianship and band development to bring the experience of playing music to young and old alike.

Since 2018, Geoff has started two youth bands, “Mr Percival” who have performed around the region to great acclaim; and more recently “Elyjah and the Mines” who performed at the Orange Festival and Golden Orange Hotel.

The “Gayndah Awesome Pickers Pluckers Strummers” Ukulele Band (GAPPS) was also formed in 2021 for mature aged locals and performs regularly to hone their skills.

Currently, Dr Geoff is working on plans to hold a music festival in Gayndah later this year. Watch this space!

Regional Sports Award – Poppy Vella, Eidsvold

Poppy is another rising star earning outstanding achievements as a competitor in the National Barrel Horse Association D7 competition.

This has required commitment and dedication to travel every weekend during the competition and continuously prepare and train her horses.

Poppy scored a runner up place in one division and placed in another which qualifies her to represent Australia in the 2022 National Barrel Horse Association Youth and Teen World Championships in July 2022 in Georgia, USA.

Always willing to help and mentor other riders, Poppy displays dedication to her sport and true sportsmanship.

Biggenden

Biggenden Citizen of the Year - Michelle Kinbacher

Biggenden Young Citizen of the Year - Georgia Hawkes

Biggenden Volunteer of the Year - Joyce Miller

Eidsvold

Eidsvold Citizen of the Year - Preston Parter

Eidsvold Volunteer of the Year - Vanessa Murray

Eidsvold Community Event of the Year - Friends of RM Inc – Bush Spirit Festival

Eidsvold Junior Sports Award - Grace Roth

Eidsvold Junior Sports Award - Poppy Vella

Sports Administrator Award - Joy MacPherson

Eidsvold Senior Cultural Award - Michelle Croner

Eidsvold Junior Cultural Award - Yumbin Dance Group

Gayndah

Gayndah Citizen of the Year - Leah Trott

Gayndah Young Citizen of the Year - Lauren Trott

Gayndah Volunteer of the Year - Barbara Gilby

Gayndah Community Event of the Year - Gayndah Art Gallery: Wedding Gowns Exhibition

Gayndah Senior Sports Award - Declan Eskdale

Gayndah Junior Sports Award - Kay-lee Bradford

Gayndah Sports Administrator Award - Stacey Duncan

Gayndah Senior Cultural Award - Dr Geoff Walden

Gayndah Junior Cultural Award - Mr Percival

Monto

Monto Citizen of the Year - Roger Stubbs

Monto Young Citizen of the Year - Megan Parish

Monto Volunteer of the Year - Ken and Jan Hutson

Monto Community Event of the Year - St Therese’s Christmas Fair Committee - St Therese Christmas Fair

Monto Senior Sports Award - Mitch Salisbury

Monto Senior Sports Award - Tyson Dahtler

Monto Junior Sports Award - Molly Salisbury

Monto Sports Administrator Award - Amy Spletter

Monto Senior Cultural Award - Ivan Dunkley

Monto Junior Cultural Award - Chloe Dent

Mt Perry

Mt Perry Citizen of the Year - Beppie Stanley

Mt Perry Young Citizen of the Year - Monique Dingle

Mt Perry Volunteer of the Year - Ken Schuster

Mt Perry Community Event of the Year - Mt Perry State School P & C Association - Mt Perry State School 150th Celebrations

Mt Perry Senior Sport Award - Michael Bennett

Senior Cultural Award - Anita Ward

Junior Cultural Award - Bridget Murphy

Mundubbera

Mundubbera Citizen of the Year - John Balshaw

Mundubbera Young Citizen of the Year - Emma Breitkopf

Mundubbera Volunteer of the Year - Debra Balshaw

Mundubbera Community Event of the Year - Mundubbera Show Society – Mundubbera Show

Mundubbera Senior Sports Award - Joe Payne

Mundubbera Junior Sports Awards - Raine Eastcott

Mundubbera Sports Administrator Award - Michelle Fry

Mundubbera Senior Cultural Award - Sue Allan

Mundubbera Junior Cultural Award - Beezley Kids Team