Cairns honours their best at Citizen of the Year awards 2024

Cairns’ quiet achievers, humble heroes and local legends have been recognised for their powerful contributions to the community and outstanding achievements. SEE THE FULL LIST AND PHOTOS.

Torres Strait Island educator Jacqui Backhouse has been awarded 2024 Cairns Citizen of the Year by Cairns Regional Council, after being nominated by her friend and former Cairns West State School principal Anne Mauger. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns’ quiet achievers, humble heroes and local legends have been recognised for their powerful contributions to the community and outstanding achievements.

Eight residents received awards for their dedicated work and accolades in the community out of a pool of 35 nominees at the Cairns Regional Council annual Citizen of Year awards, held at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre on Thursday, February 1.

Torres Strait Island educator Jacqui Backhouse is shocked as she is announced the 2024 Cairns Citizen of the Year by Cairns Regional Council, at a formal ceremony at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

Citizen of the Year recipient Jacqui Backhouse was brought to tears at the announcement.

“I thought the other lovely lady (finalist) had got it,” Ms Backhouse said.

The Thursday Island born teacher aide has spent the past three decades supporting at-risk students at Cairns schools, even bringing lunches for those struggling at home.

“My dad always said just get in and do your best,” she said.

“And I love people, I love the children I work with.

“I just try to help them to make better choices.

“I explain to them, life is about choices.

“The key questions are — is it helping me and is it worth it?” she said.

The educator is now in her 70s but has no plans of slowing down.

“I don’t even think of retiring,” she said.

“If they say I’m too old to work, I’ll have to have them on for discrimination,” she joked.

Yazmin Rivett was awarded the Young Citizen of the Year at a formal ceremony at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

Young Citizen of the Year awardee Yazmin Rivett, 15, has already improved the lives of many struggling children across Cairns with her charity work providing school supplies to those in need.

“My mum has always been my biggest inspiration,” Ms Rivett said.

“I saw her giving (all my life) and I knew that was what I wanted to do.”

Ms Rivett said she valued seeing how her work added to the confidence of others and their learning ability.

“Hearing the impact and seeing that confidence grow in people, you see how much it helps the kids,” she said.

The young philanthropist was also elected to the inaugural Cairns Youth Council last year and has dreams of a career in psychiatry or physiotherapy.

“I want to do something that helps people,” she said.

Philanthropist Joyce Swinton received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cairns Citizen of the Year Awards, held at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns Mayor Terry James said he was proud of the community.

“It’s such a great event, these are the unsung heroes,” Mayor James said.

“You don’t normally hear about them because they won’t tell you.

“We’ve got to promote these people because they don’t make any noise, they just get on with it.”

2024 Cairns Citizen of the Year Award winners:

Jacqui Backhouse – Citizen of the Year

Yazmin Rivett – Young Citizen of the Year

Carol Mills – Volunteer of the Year

Hirari Kurihara – Sportsperson of the Year

Rhiannon Forbes – Junior Sportsperson of the Year

Kalan Gosper – Highly Commended (Junior Sportsperson of the Year)

Maureen Cameron – Cultural Award

Joyce Swinton – Lifetime Achievement Award

Originally published as Cairns honours their best at Citizen of the Year awards 2024