Australia Day: Rowena Dionysius South Burnett Citizen of Year 2023

A dedicated fundraising heroine has been named the South Burnett Citizen of the Year for 2023 and joins about 20 other outstanding local residents in being awarded as part of the region’s Australia Day celebrations.

Rowena Dionysius is South Burnett's 2023 Citizen of the Year.

A dedicated fundraiser, much loved and respected Kingaroy resident, Rowena Dionysius, has been named the 2023 South Burnett Citizen of the Year for 2023.

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Mrs Dionysius has been the chair of South Burnett Relay for Life for 11 years, manages the Kingaroy RSL and previously ran the iconic Kingaroy Peanut Van for several years.

She will join the North Burnett Regional Council as an Australia Day ambassador to address their Australia Day Awards and citizenship ceremony on Thursday.

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A North Burnett Council spokesman said Mrs Dionysius was wholeheartedly dedicated to her role and volunteered countless hours, organising events throughout the year, to raise funds for Cancer Council Queensland.

“Rowena was also a finalist in the 2022 Queensland Volunteering Awards,” a spokesman said.

North Burnett Mayor Les Hotz said he was thrilled that MRs Dionysius was joining his council for its Regional Australia Day celebration in Eidsvold.

“We encourage and extend a warm welcome to all community members and visitors from across our region, to come together to reflect, respect and celebrate with us in Eidsvold on Australia Day,” Mr Hotz said.

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South Burnett Australia Day award winners include:

Rowena Dionysius - South Burnett Citizen of the Year

Sienna Spencer - South Burnett Young Citizen of the Year

Dr Graham McAllister - South Burnett Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Service

South Burnett Park Runs (Wondai, Nanango & Proston) - South Burnett Community Organisation

Joy Fennell, Michael Bishop, Cynthia Hatchett - South Burnett Lifetime Achievement

Donald Davey - South Burnett Volunteer of the Year

Glenda Geraghty - South Burnett Cultural Award (Senior)

Mitchell Howlett - South Burnett Cultural Award (Junior)

Brenna Prendergast - South Burnett Sportsperson of the Year (Senior)

Sarah Kidman - South Burnett Sportsperson of the Year (Junior)

Scott Prendergast - South Burnett Sportsperson of the Year (Coach/Official or Administrator)

Brenda Fleming - Local Achiever Award Nanango

Karmen Cleveland - Local Achiever Award Kingaroy

Aaron Stephan - Local Achiever Award Murgon

Nicholas Blanch - Local Achiever Award Proston

Barbara Hockey - Local Achiever Award Hivesville

Karen Chambers - Local Achiever Award Wondai/Tingoora

Stephanie Stevens - Local Achiever Award Kumbia

Emeric Charles - Local Achiever Award Blackbutt/Benarkin

Peter Wingfield - Local Achiever Award Wooroolin/Memerambi

South Burnett Mayor Brett Otto said he congratulates all nominees and acknowledges their commitment to the community.

“All those nominated for an Australia Day Award have showcased their true community spirit and are at the heart of what makes the South Burnett great,” Mr Otto said.

“We have faced many highs and lows throughout the course of the past year, however, our community members once again demonstrated the true resilience that is the hallmark of our rural community,” he said.