Record number of local heroes nominated for awards
South Burnett citizens shone at the Australia Day awards that saw more than 80 locals nominated for honours.
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A RECORD number of nominations were lodged for the 2015 South Burnett Australia Day Awards.
Fifteen individuals and two groups were honoured and eight new citizens were inducted on Sunday night but one woman truly shone through.
Joan Adams is one of the South Burnett's unsung heroes but her outstanding service to the community was honoured on Sunday when she was named South Burnett Citizen of the Year before a surprise award was given.
Awards night compere John Carey described Ms Adams as part Jamie Oliver, part Santa and part Mother Teresa with a good amount of farmer thrown in.
"She has lived in the South Burnett all her life and has risen above personal difficulties time and time again to make sure her beloved South Burnett is a better place for current and future generations," he said.
A cattle farmer and piggery manager, Ms Adams is heavily involved in the organisation and delivery of the Tablelands Markets and the Murgon Monthly markets.
She is a member of the Proston QCWA, Tablelands Public Hall Committee, Porcelett's and the South Burnett Wildlife Carers.
Through the support of the Mayor's Red Earth Flood Appeal, Ms Adams co-ordinated and cooked for three community dinners hosted at the Tablelands Hall to support those who had withdrawn due to the drought's impact.
Mr Carey said Ms Adams' courage was second to none.
"Joan's personal story sees a proven track record in rising above her own losses to help others with theirs," he said.
"Recognising that not just her own immediate farming community but others needed urgent help with the crippling back-to-back impacts of droughts and floods, Joan single-handedly prepared 26 Christmas cakes as a gift for every farming family, organised food, made desserts and arranged gifts for children.
"Joan's big heart for people sees her follow up those who remain vulnerable to withdrawing from community with home visits and helping wherever she can."
Read about the Tingoora volunteer firefighter recognised for his service with the Rural Fire Service Queensland here.
Our local heroes
- Citizen of the Year: Joan Adams
- Young Citizen of the Year: Lachlan Hughes
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Greg Hunter
- Volunteer of the Year: Del Blanch
- Sportsperson of the Year coach, official or administrator: Paul Clegg
- Senior Sports Person of the Year: Noel Cheshire
- Junior Sports Person of the Year: Jared Sippel
- Matthew Hayden Bursary: Jared Sippel
- Community Organisation of the Year: Lucas Oil Kingaroy Speedway
- Cultural Award: The South Burnett Choral Society
- Junior Cultural Award: Tori Somers
Our region's local achievers
- Murgon: Paul Pfeffer
- Wondai / Tingoora: Elaine Madill
- Hivesville / Proston: Zig and Sharon Zoldak
- Kingaroy: Rowena Dionysius
- Nanango: Wendy Zerbst
- Maindenwell / Bunya Mountains: Captain Liane Kerr
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