Mackay’s ‘champion’ citizens honoured by their community
From talented youngsters to venerable rugby coaches and community groups – meet the “remarkable” people who have led, shaped our community. FULL LIST
Mackay
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From young woodchoppers to rugby coaches inspiring players with a philosophy of “fun and friendship,” the Mackay Regional Council celebrated the “remarkable” individuals that make up our community at the Australia Day Awards ceremony.
Due to weather concerns from Ex-Cyclone Kirrily, the Awards Ceremony was postponed and will be held at another date.
Citizen of the Year: Peter Reedman
Mackay’s Citizen of the Year is Mackay District Junior Rugby Union president, Peter Reedman.
An organising force in the Rugby community Mr Reedman has been recognised for his “dedication” and for his efforts in “building the communities” he is a part of.
“Peter offers support to anyone and everyone at the blink of an eye – he is selfless and has a genuine care for others,” mayor Greg Williamson said.
“Whether it is providing coaching support, spending his evenings mowing and marking fields, driving children to tournaments, or ensuring they have access to referees, Peter consistently goes out of his way to support the rugby community.
Peter’s work in Mackay District junior Rugby Union has spanned a decade, with him serving in a variety of positions before his presidency.
He is in part responsible for a “massive” increase in membership from both boys and girls from ages 6 to 16.
“ (Reedman) has taken it from a struggling area of the game to a highly regarded junior sport with excellent participation levels.” he said.
A lifelong member of the Slade Point Rugby Union Club, Reedman’s character and commitment to the region has earned him the title of the Citizen of the Year.
Young Citizen of the Year: Jasmine Fuhlbohm
Setting an example for the younger citizens of the Mackay region is Young Citizen of the Year Jasmine Fuhlbohm.
At the age of 10 Ms Fuhlbohm suffered the tragic loss of her father and has since dedicated herself to providing defibrillators to the Mackay community.
Ms Fuhlbohm, through a number of means, has highlighted the “unpredictable” nature of heart conditions.
Her work raising funds and awareness on the “vital resource” that is a defibrillator, through the ‘Help Keep Hearts Beating’ raffle and a GoFundMe campaign has been “exceptional”.
Mayor Williamson has praised her work to “create safer, healthier places for our residents”.
Ms Fuhlbohm is currently hard at work managing and mentoring new activists at a local non-profit organisation and represents the “have a go spirit” of the Young Citizen of the Year Award.
Lori Burgess Community Volunteer of the Year: Kimberly Doyle
A volunteer with the Special Olympics, Ms Doyle has dedicated more than 25 hours a week to making the lives of those with intellectual disabilities and autism better.
“Kimberly puts a huge amount of her time and energy into ensuring Special Olympics Mackay Fire members get the most from programmed sporting events,” Mr Williamson said.
“From Kung Fu and Tai Chi to powerlifting, table tennis and basketball – her coaching and facilitating commitments are varied and many.”
Ms Doyle has facilitated a variety of different sports classes, raised funds, prepared grant applications and most recently managed a 12-day tip for Special Olympics athletes to travel to Perth for the Western Australian State Games, all in her personal time.
In recognition of her leadership, commitment and determination, Kimberly Doyle is the Community Volunteer of the Year.
Arts and Culture Award: Margaret Ross
For her contributions to the community as an organising force and a “talented” artist, Margaret Ross will receive the Arts and Culture Award.
Ms Ross, gifted with an “amazing” talent for music, has strived to provide a place of belonging and musical therapy to her community.
This has shone out through her formation of the Choir of Unheard Voices, which regularly performs at aged care centres and community events.
Described as a “miracle worker” by those who hear her, Ms Ross, through her work has helped to reduce the stigma associated with mental health disorders and other disabilities.
On top of her work volunteering and bringing music to all, she also volunteers regularly to organise the Sarina Surf Lifesavers Club annual Christmas carols, a principal source of income for the club.
Environmental Achievement Award: Mackay and District Turtle Watch Association
The Mackay District Turles Watch Association, formed in 1992 and made up of 39 members, works to monitor turtle nests, hatchlings and activities to bolster turtle populations.
Fay Griffin and Lynette Gallagher, two founding members of the group, still monitor Blacks Beach, Louisa Creek, Hay Point and Salonika Beach.
These “dedicated” volunteers collect data from more than 20 beaches in the region, which is fed back to State scientists studying turtle populations.
Members are active in the community through their efforts to educate the public about habitat protection and the importance of conservation.
For their “enormous contribution” to the protection of threatened species, they have been honoured with the Environmental Achievement Award.
Community Group Award: Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club
“The guardian of sand, sea and community spirit,” the Sarina Surf Lifesaving has “passionately invested” in the Sarina community.
Their work has included, training members in their Bronze Medallion, Rescue Certificates, First Aid and CPR awards.
Their “vibrant” Nippers program brings volunteers together with young members of the community and “empowers” them to become “guardians of their beach”.
The Club sends speakers to schools to better educate the public about beach safety and hosts yearly community events such as Carols by Candlelight, North Barrier Branch Championship and ‘Cruisin’ the Coast’ Fun Run.
The Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club is receiving the Community Group Award not just for what they currently do for the community, but for their “Cultivation of future leaders for the Sarina community”.
Senior Sports Award: Heath Galletly
Heath Galletly has been involved with rugby league in some form for almost his entire life.
Starting as an under 9, he progressed to coaching when his sons took up the game.
For three years he held leadership positions at the Wanderers Junior Rugby League boys club, where he was responsible for a period of growth that has been attributed to his philosophy of “fun” and “friendship”.
Mr Galletly was “instrumental” in the merging of the Mackay junior and senior rugby league associations, a move that made it regarded as the “best practice” league by many in the QRL.
He led the Rugby League Mackay District through the tumultuous COVID-19 Pandemic, organising activities and even co-ordinating clubs in Townsville.
For his leadership and sportsmanship, he has been honoured with the Senior Sports Award.
Junior Sports Award: Takiah Moore-Barrett
The first time Takiah Moore-Barrett picked up an axe was at the age of five.
A fourth generation wood chopper, the “successful” sportswoman won many awards in woodchopping over the course of 2023, including the Women’s Championship at the Sydney Royal East Show.
She also outshone her competitors at the Adelaide show and has gone axe to axe with male competitors in open events and come out on top.
Ms Moore-Barrett regularly competes against her father and has demonstrated that she will chop till she reaches the top.
For her “successes” and performance, Ms Moore-Barrett is Mackay’s Junior Sports Award winner.
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