GALLERY: Senior Sergeant leads way in inspiring youth

BORN and raised in Mackay, she has been with the Queensland Police Service for almost 22 years specialising in child protection.

HONOURED: Detective Senior Sergeant Sam Bliss has been honoured for her work with children, the Torres Strait Islander community and sporting groups. Picture: Lee Constable

MACKAY'S Citizen of the Year, Detective Senior Sergeant Samantha (Sam) Bliss, is a natural leader.

Born and raised in Mackay, she has been with the Queensland Police Service for almost 22 years specialising in child protection.

"I've always loved working with kids. Seeing the face of a child when you change some part of their life is very rewarding," she said.

The Torres Strait Islander mother of two is a role model for young people.

Australia Day Awards Night

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"I'm very close to my culture and very close to participating in community events. I encourage stories and dance with my children all the time to promote Torres Strait Islander culture but also Aboriginal culture. They are stories that have been passed from my grandmother to me and I pass that down to them," she said.

Her community involvement is aimed at youth welfare.

Det Snr Sgt Bliss has completed a Draft Community Initiative Resource (CAP - Co-ordinated Action Plan) called "It's Not Your Fault"-a co-ordinated approach to responding to students exposed to family violence.

She is chairwoman of Mackay PCYC, implementing the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) - the first for PCYCs in Queensland.

She is deputy chairwoman for Mackay Regional Aboriginal and Islanders Development Association (MARABISDA) Incorporated, has a Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary and was named the Most Outstanding Female Leader at the Australasian Women and Policing Awards.

She also plays softball, touch football and women's rugby league and takes on coaching and mentoring roles within these codes.

Of her nomination, Det Snr Sgt Bliss said she was "absolutely honoured"

"Mackay is my home town, it's my community. It's definitely something to be proud of. It's a very privileged moment.

Det Snr Sgt Bliss likes to share her own story of growing up; her experiences of domestic violence and alcohol abuse.

"I want kids to realise that they are not the only ones who have had issues in their life. There are people that are successful in the community that have had this happen to them and can go beyond that and make a difference," she said.

Citizen of the Year

• Brian O'Neill
• Brian Osborn
• Dr Lyn Hall
• Ellen Roberts
• Dianne Graham
• Gail and Brendan Maguire
• Graeme Ware
• Janine Bell
• Jessica Saunders
• Jo-Anne Shanks
• John Zimmermann
• Kaye Lewis
• Linda Frey
• Margaret Spillman
• Meecham Philpott
• Mike Jones
• Neil Kempe
• Nekea Blagoev
• Patricia Wright
• Peter Tait
• Raelene Wells
• Raelene Woods
• Rebecca Luttgens
• Robert Lynch
• Samantha Bliss
• Susan Armstrong

Young Citizen of the Year

• Brooke Lee Thompson
• Claire Kelly
• Corry Cook
• Daniel O'Neill
• Dr Daniel Charles
• Dr Laura Koefler
• Dr Brenton Mayer
• Hajdi Van Moolenbroek
• Hayden McFaul
• Sophie Arnold
• Tina McCowan

Lori Burgess Community Volunteer Award

• Belinda Hassan
• Brad Orth
• Cath Joy
• Charlotte Tomlin
• David and Gillian Lemberg
• Deborah Rasmussen
• Jason Borg
• Jessica Saunders
• Jo-Anne Shanks
• John and Maxine Ollett
• Kaye Lewis
• Kristyn Everett
• Lyn Zarb
• Mavis May
• Nerril and Arthur Goode
• Nicole Vella-Power
• Peter Attard
• Peter Tait
• Raelene Wells
• Sue Spreadborough
• Val McKerihan

Junior Sports Award

• Callum Street
• Corry Cook
• Jade Bidgood
• Kara Bloxsom
• Kelsea Thomson
• Lacey Taylor
• Lauren Bella
• Louvaro Kerwin
• Montanah Best
• Sophie Arnold
• Sophie McAuley
• Tina Manumua
• Triston Vincent
• Tyler Kerr
• Zach Larsson

Senior Sports Award

• Hamish Wright
• Joel Khalu
• Natasha Baggow
• Simon Crampton
• Zoe-Claire Yaworsky

Arts and Culture Award

• Brian O'Neill
• Daniel O'Neill
• Jason Chetcuti
• Janice Whelan
• Kadence Group
• Nekea Blagoev

Environmental Award

• Ellen Roberts
• Lyn Gallagher
• Mackay Conservation Group
• Mackay and District Turtle Watch Association
• Mackay Recreational Fishing Alliance
• Matthew Munchow
• Tuka and Helen Austin

Community Group Award

• All Abililities Mackay
• Alzheimers Australia Mackay Region Inc.
• Brian Osborn
• CQ University "Safety Circus"
• Dr Lyn Hall
• Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club
• ESA International - Alpha Rho Branch
• Linda Frey
• Mackay - Friends of RSPCA Group
• Mackay Recreational Fishing Alliance
• Mackay Youth Support Services
• Margaret Spillman
• Meecham Philpott
• North Mackay State High School Marching Band
• Pioneer Valley Classic Car Club
• Pink Ribbon Charity Fair
• Rebecca Luttgens
• Robert Lynch
• Social Motion Community
• Susan Armstrong

Originally published as GALLERY: Senior Sergeant leads way in inspiring youth