Central QLD Australia Day winners honoured in ceremonies
Hundreds turned out for Australia Day celebrations with a prison guard, former art gallery director and rugby coach among CQ award recipients. FULL LIST
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One of Rockhampton’s frontline workers has been recognised for her hard work as part of the 2024 Australia Day honours.
Correctional Supervisor Renee Rieson, who works at Capricornia Correctional Centre, was one of three Queensland Corrective Services officers to receive the prestigious Australian Correctional Medal.
The medal recognises distinguished service by an operational member of an Australian state or territory civilian corrections service for adults.
“It’s pretty amazing, I didn’t expect to get anything like this,” Ms Rieson said.
“Normally these type of awards go to people who have done a lot more than I have, particularly in higher positions.
“When I first got the nomination I thought ‘no, it’s not going to go anywhere’ and then I found out I was getting it I couldn’t really believe it to be honest.”
Ms Rieson has worked in corrections for 16 years, holding many roles throughout her career.
She applied for the role when she was studying at university.
“I was studying a bachelors degree and I wanted a job where I could work and study at the same time so shift work really appealed to me.
“I’ve been there ever since...the role can be quite varied if you want it to be, there’s lots of opportunities if you chase it.”
During her time working in corrections Ms Rieson was involved in commissioning new infrastructure during the Capricornia Correctional Centre expansion and has been a senior training officer with the QCS academy.
She has helped train 259 recruits and helped develop the aspiring supervisors development program which focuses on leadership skills and prepares custodial correctional officers who aspire to the rank of correctional supervisor.
“We’re in a unique position up here because of our location,” she said.
“Capricornia has a unique bunch of people who you just want to keep working with. Everyday can be different.
“You can develop people, as in staff, through some tricky times and get them believing in themselves and their skills and the same with the prisoners as well. It’s pretty rewarding when they learn a skill and see them change.”
Ms Rieson said one of the rewarding things about her job was seeing staff implement skills she had taught them into their jobs.
“I’ve got people who tell me today some of the things I’ve taught them have stuck with them, which is good, and it’s always good to see those people I’ve trained go further in their career,” she said.
Other award recipients
CQUniversity’s Art Collection Manager 2012-2021 and Rockhampton resident Susan Smith has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to the visual arts as an artist and administrator.
She has been an exhibiting artist since 2011 and had a long career working in the arts sector including being the director of the Rockhampton Regional Art Gallery between 2001-2010, Consultant Director and Acting Curator at the Brisbane City Gallery (now Museum of Brisbane) between 1994-1995, Curator/Assistant Curator in Drawings and Photographs of the Queensland Art Gallery between 1981-1987 and Arts librarian for the State Library of Queensland between 1972-1980.
As an artist, she has won the John Villiers Outback Art Prize in 2023, the best in show and best book in the Publication Design Awards of Museums Australia in 2004.
Her publications include ‘North of Capricorn: the art of Ray Crooke’ 1997, ‘Di Bresciani: compositions of colour’ in 2012, ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art: the CQUniversity Australia collection’ in 2019 and ‘Margaret Worthington: Land, Air, Sand, Sea, Spirit. 40 years in Queensland’ in 2021.
Barcaldine’s David Kerrigan has received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) award for significant service to volunteer and social welfare organisations and regional rugby league.
Mr Kerrigan has been the co-vice chair of White Ribbon Queensland since 2019 and is the chair of the Central Western committee.
He is the founding chair of Central West Suicide Prevention Network and mental health advocate since 2010.
Mr Kerrigan has been the president of the Barcaldine Men’s Shed since 2017 and a founding member since 2005.
His list of roles in rugby league is long and includes being chairman of Queensland Central West Rugby League between 1999-2004 and again between 2015-2021, coach of the North West Schoolboys team since 2013 and founder of the Bedourie 9s competition since 2016.
Mr Kerrigan was also coach of the Queensland Outback Rugby League Team in 2015-2016, staff member 2008-2016 and currently an advisory committee member.
He also works for Queensland Health in medical imaging since 2022 and formerly as an alcohol, tobacco and other drugs service co-ordinator.
Mr Kerrigan was a project co-ordinator for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in 2021-2022 and has been an employee with the service since 2018.
Comet’s Rosemary McLeod has also been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to historical preservation and to the community.
She was the former executive committee member of the Emerald and District Historical Society, former foundation member of the Maria Creek Bore Memorial, former committee member of the Coment Rodeo and Comet Centenary Celebrations (1977-1978), current advocate for building preservation for the Comet Railway Station museum and the convenor and committee member of the Comet School of Arts.
Ms McLeod was also the founding member (1982) of the Comet Pony Club, former president of Zone 15 Pony Club in the Pony Club Association of Queensland and former volunteer at Emerald and Blackwater pony clubs.
She was the Citizen of the Year for Central Highlands Rural Council in 2007.
Central Queensland’s Australia Day Award and Honours Recipients
Rockhampton
Citizen of the Year - Ivan Richardson:
Ivan has been volunteering in the community for over forty years. A talented musician, Ivan has used his musical talents to help better the region in a variety of ways – from organising charity performances to taking on the role of president for Rockhampton Youth Orchestra Inc. Ivan is a truly inspirational individual who deserves this recognition for his years of leadership and unwavering enthusiasm.
Young Citizen of the Year – Brooke Lacey:
Brooke is recognised for her dedication to local animal rescue and to the Central Queensland Animal Society. Over the past six years, Brooke has been a stalwart for animal rescue and foster care and dedicates the majority of her time to the not-for-profit animal rescue charity and its cause.
Sportsperson of the Year – Samuel Durkin:
Sam has dedicated the majority of his life to trampolining and recently represented Australia in the World Age Group Championships in Birmingham. Here he and a fellow Queenslander won the silver medal in the 17 - 21 Years Men’s Synchronised Trampoline Event.
Sports Official of the Year – Ricky England:
Ricky has made a great contribution to the sporting culture of the region through his time with Nerimbera Football Club. Ricky’s time with the club commenced in 1986 and has included time as a player and committee member, and recently recognised with a life membership.
Community Service Award – Malcolm and Lisa Holmes:
Malcom and Lisa are recognised for their outstanding efforts with the Hands of Compassion Foodbank, Rockhampton. The duo established the foodbank six years ago and have volunteered their time continuously since to ensure the success and continuation of this vital service.
Community Initiative Award - Jan Davison:
Jan Davison has made a remarkable effort in helping to establish and nurture the Rockhampton Mahjong Club. Today, the club proudly stands as the largest mahjong club in Queensland, boasting a vibrant community of 105 members.
Cultural Award – Merle Cole and Vicki Cope:
Merle and Vicki are recognised for their dedication to the Rockhampton Little Theatre. As President and Vice President, Merle and Vicki help to ensure that amateur theatre continues to thrive in Rockhampton.
Certificate of Commendation – Henry Boswood:
For nearly 49 years, Henry has dedicated himself as a member of Rotary, tirelessly working behind the scenes to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Henry has also devoted himself to various projects, on a local and international scale and remains an active member of the North Rockhampton Rotary Club.
Certificate of Commendation – Rockhampton Cancer Council QLD Volunteer Branch:
The Rockhampton Cancer Council Volunteer Branch has been an integral part of our community for the last forty years. Throughout their longstanding service, this group has stood as a powerhouse in raising funds for cancer research and support– with close to $1 million raised over the lifespan of their volunteering.
Livingstone
Young Citizen of the Year - Mr Izac Campbell
Izac, who just 9 years old, has been making up food hampers every fortnight in his spare time that he then delivers to a nominated family within our shire who is doing it a bit tough. The increase in people being nominated is growing by the week, and the demand is high. Izac carries out this wonderful community service with his family. His mum and sibling often purchasing these items for the hampers themselves, with occasional items and gift cards being donated.
Izacs’s undeniable kindness, gratitude, tenacity, strong family values, empathy and dedication to his cause at such a young age are wonderful qualities to be admired and congratulated.
Community
Mr Andrew Willis
Andrew has committed his working life to sharing in the raising of our communities’ children. He first started as a teacher of Yeppoon State High school (YSHS) in 1992. Since then, he has been an active citizen of the Livingstone Shire Community in multiple fields including education, volunteering with Yeppoon Lions Club projects; including fund raising barbecues, Youth of the Year, Pinefest, Yeppoon race meets, fundraising for Movember, volunteering as a rural firey, and co-ordinating the Yeppoon State High School Student Action Group. His enthusiastic contribution to our community has changed many lives and he works every day to make our community, a great place for us live.
Yeppoon Choral Society
The Yeppoon Choral Society Inc has been providing opportunities for locals to sing and perform together since 1965. Not only does singing help improve mental and physical health, belonging to a choir or musical cast creates an opportunity for members to feel a sense of camaraderie and develop friendships. YCS has collaborated with many other community organisations over the decades, including Yeppoon Lions, Keppel Girl Guides, CARV, Keppel Coast and Rockhampton Photography clubs and various churches, schools and community bands.
At least one concert and one musical has been performed almost every year, which are the culmination of many hours of rehearsals and other administrative and backstage preparations. The Yeppoon Choral Society are a great example of a not-for-profit performing arts group helping to create strong links within their community and bridging gaps between generations.
Peta Bosomworth
Peta Bosomworth is an experienced senior teacher in a local primary school. She has a passion for our community and demonstrates this through volunteering her spare time at work running many extra curricula activities for students and mentoring staff, as well as her various volunteer roles within multiple local community organisations.
Peta has mentored and been a positive role model for new Rotary members, sports trainers, players, coaches, teachers, students and broader community members as she volunteers her time, being visible across many areas of our community.
Rural and Agriculture
Steve Elson
Steve has made an extensive and exemplary contribution to the community of central Queensland over an extended period. Over the last decade he has devoted many hours per week as a volunteer for the community’s benefit. His contribution to environmental issues is exemplary. Mr Elson’s quiet and efficient leadership of various groups are helping to make a positive contribution to the community, seen as a mentor to numerous people over the years. The community benefits tangibly from the successful revegetation projects undertaken as well as from resources developed for future projects.
Mr Elson is an active member of organisations such as Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, Capricorn Conservation Council, Native Plants Queensland, Nankin Rural Fire Brigade as well as contributing to projects with Fitzroy Basin Association and Queensland National Parks and Wildlife. He is leader of his local RFB and is leader of the group known informally as the OGRES of Mt Etna (Old Guys Restoring Ecosystems). This group have been involved in a revegetation project at Mt Etna National Park for the past decade and the work has become an exemplar for what can be achieved with several groups visiting the area to learn from the project.
Kelly McCosker
Kelly excels in her full-time role as a Client Relationships Manager and works around the clock to be there for the Shire’s farmers with their businesses, relationships, land and production practices.
For over 10 years Kelly has worked tirelessly in supporting and nurturing our farmers in Regenerative Agriculture practices to help make farming more resilient, to produce healthier food and strengthening our rural community.
Kelly is an inspirational role model to our younger children here in Yeppoon, not only in Agriculture but also for her community support, spending many afternoons and weekends teaching singing and dancing and even helping to host concerts for our youngsters.
Living Legend
Ken Landsberg
Ken Landsberg has been at the forefront of our community for almost a decade, serving as the President of the Yeppoon and Show Society. His commitment to the Yeppoon Show over the past 14 years has left an indelible mark on our community.
Ken Landsberg’s passion for the Yeppoon Show has not only transformed the event but has also become an integral part of our cultural fabric.
His tireless efforts have significantly enhanced the show’s impact, providing our residents with an annual celebration that brings joy, unity, and a sense of pride to Livingstone Shire.
Through his leadership, Ken has fostered a spirit of community engagement and togetherness, making the Yeppoon Show a highlight on our calendar that brings people from all walks of life together.
Mayoral Award
President of the Capricorn Coast Netball Association – Tanya Burnett
Tanya, in her role as Capricorn Coast Netball President, has demonstrated exemplary leadership and organisational skills.
Her dedication and hard work were especially evident in the success of the Capricorn Coast Junior Netball Carnival last year, where a record-breaking 164 teams participated in a celebration of sportsmanship and teamwork.
Tanya’s efforts have not only elevated the sport of netball in our community but have also provided countless young athletes with an opportunity to showcase their talents and build lifelong skills. Her commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive environment within the Capricorn Coast Netball community has made a lasting impact on the lives of many.
Central Highlands
Central
Citizen of the Year - Jim and Anne Hatte
Young Citizen of the Year - Madison Powell
Senior Sportsperson of the Year- Troy Harris
Young Sportsperson of the Year - Douglas Bennett
Arts and Cultural Award - Daniel Hand
Community Event of the Year - Gindie Ashes and County Fair
East
Citizen of the Year - Stacey Steinhardt
Young Citizen of the Year - Amity Jackson
Senior Sportsperson of the Year- Shannon Maguire
Young Sportsperson of the Year - Stuart Taylor
Community Event of the Year - Curragh Community Day
North
Citizen of the Year - Narelle Mountford
Young Citizen of the Year - Robert Willadsen
Senior Sportsperson of the Year- Kristy Lane
Young Sportsperson of the Year - Lara French
Arts and Cultural Award - Jaylin Kimmins
South
Citizen of the Year - Morris and Diann Hawkins
Senior Sportsperson of the Year- Peter Spencer
Junior Sportsperson of the Year - Isabella Woolcock
Arts and Cultural Award - Darryl Black
Community Event of the Year - QLD Pedal Prix Super Series State Final
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