Gympie 2023 Australia Day Awards | Full list

A go-kart racer, a flood recovery volunteer and several community leaders have been named as the recipients of Gympie’s 2023 Australia Day Awards.

Two Gympie residents have been named the joint Citizen of the Year at the region’s Australia Day awards ceremony for 2023.

A rising star musician, a flood recovery leader and a joint winners of Citizen of the Year have highlighted the list of Gympie’s Australia Day award recipients for 2023.

Bernadette O’Neill and Bev Goodall shared this year’s top award, headlining a list of seven recipients whose contributions to the region were celebrated at Thursday morning’s ceremony in Memorial Park.

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AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD WINNERS

Bernadette O’Neill and Bev Goodall

Citizens of the Year

Bernadette O’Neill and Bev Goodall have been named the joint winners of the 2023 Citizen of the Year.

Bernadette O'Neill was named along with Bev Goodall as the joint Citizen of the Year.

A statement released by Gympie Regional Council said Mrs O’Neill, the former manager of the Empire Hotel with husband Kevin, was nominated “because of the endless support she gives to numerous sporting clubs and schools in and around the region”.

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“She is also heavily involved in her church supporting both young and old in the community.

Mrs Goodall’s nomination was on the back of “her unwavering dedication, commitment and continued effort every weekday to the Gympie Community over the last few years”.

“Bev leads a team of volunteers who ensure the lives of residents seeking medical appointments north and south of Gympie are done so with minimum fuss and stress to every resident who calls upon the services of Gympie Medical Transport,” the council said.

Austin Van Twest

Young Citizen of the Year

Sixteen-year-old volunteer Austin Van Twest was named Young Citizen of the Year due to his extensive work helping community groups across the region.

“Austin has chosen to spend his free time to volunteer on weekends, and during School holidays at, Little Haven Market Place,” the council’s statement says.

“To going out, and travelling within the Gympie/Cooloola district to collect and load donations with other volunteers.

“Austin has also received various academic awards, with his studies, as well as a Cultural Award and Gympie Rotary Club Senior All-rounder for the senior level, at his school.”

Rachael Lehmann

Resilience Award

Rachael Lehmann was a key part of the region’s flood recovery in the wake of the trio of disasters which devastated Gympie in January, February and May 2022.

The popular Little Kids Day Out was named Event of the Year. Photo: David CrossleyGympie Times

“(Ms Lehmann) was instrumental in helping put together flood recovery meeting after the January Floods that hit Tansey and Booubyjan,” the council’s release said.

“Rachael ignored her own farms clean up to co-ordinate the clean-up at the Tansey Tennis club.

“Rachael took the lead in cooking for the Blaze add group-spending hours cooking and delivering the food.”

Xander Jacobi

Sports Award

Xander Jacobi, 15, is a prolific go-kart racer who has raced up and down Queensland from Ipswich to Townsville, and competed in three championships.

“Xander holds four lap records, three at Bundaberg and one at Ipswich,” the council’s release said.

“He races in senior light and was third in the state in 2021 and in 2022 he again placed third in the Supermaxx light division.

“He also volunteers his time helping to mow, whipper snip and spray the track on working bees and helps with general maintenance at Cooloola Coast Kart Club.”

Hayley James

Creative Award

A passionate musician, Hayley James plays the double bass and bass guitar and represents James Nash State School in the concert band, stage band and jazz ensemble.

James Nash State High School student Hayley James was given the Creative Award for 2023.

“She also plays with the Cooloola Community Orchestra,” the council’s release said.

“She was accepted to be part of the state honors.

“Hayley has a passion for music.

“This year she also participated in the Academy of Creative Arts visual arts program where she assisted in designing and creating props for the JNSHS production of Matilda.”

Little Kids Day Out

Community Group/Event Organisation of the Year 2023

The popular Little Kids Day Out received two nominations, highlighting its importance and success in the region.

The free annual event is run with the contributions of more than 300 volunteers who allow it to host “activities, performances, info booths, donation sausage sizzle and sponsorship”.

“It aims to help parents improve outcomes for their children by connecting them to schools, early learning centres, sports clubs, creative dance studios and businesses,” the council’s statement said.