Australia Day Awards 2025: North Queenslanders honoured
The “dynamic duo” of a firefighting father and his daughter from Townsville are among dozens of North Queenslanders who have been recognised with Australia Day Awards. SEE THE FULL LIST.
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The “dynamic duo” of a firefighting father and his daughter are among dozens of North Queenslanders who have been recognised for their outstanding service to their communities as part of Australia Day Awards.
Kevin Harney, an 80-year-old active rural firefighter from Cungulla, was described as the epitome of “community” as he was honoured with a Queensland Fire Department Australia Day Achievement Awards.
Mr Harney is first officer and his daughter, Tracy, is the secretary of the voluntary Rural Fire Brigade unit.
“I think it’s in our blood,” the firefighter of 25 years said, “the whole family is very community minded.”
He also wisely acknowledged the role played by wife Sylvia as a critically important support member of the brigade.
“The main thing is we’re here for the community, we’re here for any emergency responses.”
Tracy joked about volunteering and choosing to work with dad.
“Half the time, I boss him about at the station,” she laughs, “I tell him what he can do, what he can’t do.”
The awards, sponsored by QSuper, part of Australian Retirement Trust, recognised the efforts of 81 QFD volunteer and permanent staff, including about 20 in North Queensland.
The other regional winners were:
• Nome District Rural Fire Brigade firefighter Luke Bohlsen
• Nome District Rural Fire Brigade firefighter Donald Gilchrist
• Cungulla Rural Fire Brigade First Officer Kevin Harney
• Cungulla Rural Fire Brigade Secretary Tracy Harney
• RFSQ Northern Region Acting Superintendent Shane Hopton
• Cungulla Rural Fire Brigade Second Officer Glenn Parry
• Yarrabah Rural Fire Brigade First Officer Vincent Schrieber
• RFSQ Northern Region Executive Officer Anne Siegmeier
• Saunders Beach Rural Fire Brigade First Officer Joshua Woolfe
QFD Commissioner Steve Smith said that the selflessness of its staff and volunteers kept remote and regional communities safe.
“The recipients in this year’s awards are just a small sample of the inspiring individuals who are the lifeblood of QFD,” he said.
“They are often the first call when there’s a fire, crash or rescue emergency and they do it all purely because they want to help.”
National Australia Day 2025 Honours List
Three Townsville-based ADF personnel were also recognised in the national Australia Day 2025 Honours List, which included awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.
Australian Army Warrant Officer Class One Jo-Anne Michelle Downes of the 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion was received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Military Division for “meritorious service to leadership and training”.
The regimental sergeant major of the Army Logistic Training Centre was recognised for driving “remarkable achievements in organisational transformation, soldier training, junior leader development and welfare delivery across multiple formations”.
“Warrant Officer Downes’ selfless devotion to her community, continuous development and fundamentally enhancing soldier capability are in the finest traditions of Army.”
Warrant Officer Class Two Andrei Andreyevich Mazourenko of 2RAR was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) for “meritorious achievement as the senior Direct Fire Support Weapons tactician at the School of Infantry”.
Also awarded the CSM was Australian Army was Major Cameron Steven Dunne for devotion to duty as the 5th Aviation Regiment CH-47F Chinook helicopter Qualified Flying Instructor.
“Through rare determination, inspirational leadership and sustained commitment he has ensured the 5th Aviation Regiment has been able to successfully respond to eight major domestic and regional disaster response missions over four years.”
Local-government bodies in the Burdekin, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook and Townsville also honoured individuals and organisations who had contributed to their respective communities through public service, volunteering, culture, sport and events.
Townsville
A number of Townsville’s “most outstanding citizens” received recognition for their respective efforts during the Australia Day Awards at Jezzine Barracks on Sunday morning.
Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said while there was tough competition across all categories, the winners embodied what it meant to be Australian, going above and beyond for the community.
“As a proud garrison city it was a real honour to present Edmund “Ted” Mildren as the 2025 Citizen of the Year for his tireless work making a difference to, and advocating for members of the Air Force and their families,” she said.
“As a founding member of the RAAF Association Townsville Branch in 1990, Ted has been involved with the association for more than 40 years, his advocacy for military firefighters has been recognised by the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
The winner of the Senior Sports Award was 21-year-old sprinter, Olivia Ford “for her nationally recognised achievements and dedication on and off the track”.
“She is the current National Champion for 100m and 200m and ranked number 1 as aT01 (Deaf Classification) in Australia and Oceania, and I can’t wait to follow her journey in the Deaflympics in Tokyo later this year.”
The winners were:
• Citizen of the Year Award: Edmund (Ted) Mildren
• Young Citizen of the Year Award: Ethan Cavanagh
• Arts and Culture Award: Arts and Culture Award
• Community Volunteer Award: Townsville Toy Library
• Environmental Excellence and Sustainability Awards: Jason Lange
• Senior Sports Award: Olivia Ford
• Junior Sports Award: Finn O’Neil
Hinchinbook
In Hinchinbrook Shire, it was a competitive field of candidates that lined up for a host of junior and senior awards.
The top gong, the Hinchinbrook Shire Citizen Award, was won by husband and wife team Keith and Rita Phillips, a rare combined honour.
Mr Phillips was nominated for a number of significant contributions to the district, including his voluntary service with the Lower Herbert Halifax Lions Club.
“His knowledge and skills were instrumental in the construction of the Lower Herbert Seniors Centre at Halifax, a 21 unit apartment complex,” a council spokeswoman said.
“Keith and his wife Rita donated land, monetary funds and countless hours of in kind assistance in building work and project management to assist with the establishment of the new Meals on Wheels centre in Eleanor Street.”
Mrs Phillips was also nominated for her volunteering work, particularly through Meals on Wheels and the Anglican Church.
“Rita and her husband Keith donated land for the new Meals on Wheels complex and oversaw the redevelopment of the new building ensuring it is sustainable into the future.”
The winners were:
• Junior Sports Award: Liam Fascetti (Squash)
• Senior Sports Award: Ally Rhodes (Squash)
• Junior Cultural Award: Kaitlyn Rapista (piano performances for local events)
• Senior Cultural Award: Alan Giles (Ingham Theatre Group)
• Individual Achievement Award: Helen Stanton (Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club and Ingham Gymnastics Training Centre volunteer)
• Community Event of the Year Award: Dean Schifilliti Shield (Herbert River Junior Rugby League)
• Beryl Prior Memorial: Service to the Community Award (former manager of the Salvation Army Store Ingham and respected volunteer)
• Shire Young Citizen Award: Coen Luxford (drummer at local ANZAC parades; State junior member for the Hinchinbrook Electorate of Queensland Youth Parliament)
The Burdekin Shire Council is hosting its awards on Sunday morning.
The Charters Towers Regional Council is hosting its awards on Sunday night.
Originally published as Australia Day Awards 2025: North Queenslanders honoured
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