Five Far North legends named Citizen of the Year
From postmen to principals, the remarkable recipients of this year’s Australia Day awards have been recognised for their enduring dedication to their communities.
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From postmen to principals, the remarkable recipients of this year’s Australia Day awards have been recognised for their enduring dedication to their communities.
Five of the Far North’s best residents were awarded Citizen of the Year at council Australia Day award ceremonies across the region on Thursday and Friday, with more than 60 residents and local organisations also honoured on the day.
Tablelands region winner and Mount Garnett postie Bob Walker spoke modestly about his work, stating he just does what he does.
“I was totally humbled and absolutely shocked,” Mr Walker said.
“The award should go to my wife Flo she’s the wonderful woman that allows me to do what I do everyday,” he said.
For more than 21 years, Mr Walker has gone above and beyond in his postman role, hand delivering medications, groceries and supplies as well as post to the elderly residents of remote Mount Garnet who are unable to travel into town.
“It’s a wonderful thing to do,” he said.
Department of Education school improvement coach and Tully State High School principal Richard Graham won the award for the Cassowary Coast.
“I was among a very outstanding bunch of individuals, so to be selected from that group is certainly an honour, not only for me but for the associations I’m a part of,” Mr Graham said.
Mr Graham, who is chair of several youth sport and local music associations alongside his work as an educator, said the award was recognition of the hard work of his fellow community members.
“I might be the face of some of these organisations and activities but I’m just communicating the work and effort of the good people in the Cassowary Coast who’ve helped along the way,” he said.
“It’s a great thing to work with clever and passionate people.”
He added he could not do what he did without the support of his community and his workplace.
“The great thing about my job is to be able to firm up that link between what happens in our shire and combine it with what happens in our school,” he said.
“Making sure that young people have the skills in [academics] but also those really valuable skills you gather from an extra curricular sense.”
Mossman Elders Justice Group co-ordinator Christine Lynch was bestowed the honour for Douglas Shire for her contributions to the wellbeing of the community.
“She contributes in many ways, helping families with child safety, youth justice, the family
relationship commission, family reunification, stolen wages, mediation as well as simple things
like putting credit on phones, or offering advice on understanding Centrelink,” Douglas Shire mayor Michael Kerr said of the recipient.
Ms Lynch’s colleague Reuben Dwyer, who accepted the award on her behalf, said she was “committed as ever” to providing support to people in need following the December floods.
Cook Shire Council awarded Citizen of the Year to Cooktown RSL sub-branch president Julie Oliver who, for over twenty years, has tirelessly served her community while caring for her husband Peter, a Vietnam veteran.
Mareeba Shire Council named lifelong resident Natasha Srhoj as Citizen of the Year for the region, marking the second Australia Day accolade for the local superstar after her community service award win in 2019.
Cairns Regional Council’s Citizen of the Year awards ceremony will be held on February 1.
Cassowary Coast Awardees:
Young Citizen of the Year – Rikki-Lee Broccardo
Lifetime Contribution – Chrys Tait, Les Moule, Craig Marturia, Ninney Murray
Community Event / Project of the Year – Innisfail Bowls Club Centenary
Community Group Award – St Vincent De Paul Mother of Good Counsel Conference, Etty Bay SLSC and Mission Beach Wildcare Inc.
Sports Person of the Year – Emily O’Brien
Young Sports Person of the Year – Kai Greven
Service to Sports Award – Nadine O’Farrell
Arts and Culture Award – Mission Beach Historical Society
Young Arts and Culture Award – Emily Muriata
Sustainable Environment Award – Constance (Connie) Symons, Judy Ronland
Young Sustainable Environment Award – Kyanna Wirth
Achievement Award – Blue EDGE Program, Michael Sands and Mick Maguire
Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Education Award – Alicia Magnanini, St Rita’s School South Johnstone
Young Entrepreneur – Satkirat Kaur
First Nations’ Fire Award – Hannah Beeron
Excellence and Innovation Award – Rebecca Mosk
Cook Shire Awardees:
Young Citizen of the Year – Lucas Giese
Volunteers of the Year – John and Tanya Ahlers
Sports Award – Don Wood
Arts and Culture Award – Jane Dennis
Environment Award – Denicka Danaher
Douglas Shire Awardees:
Junior Sports – Caitlyn Butland
Senior Sports – Rod Johnson
Environmental Achievement – Sid Murthy
Arts and Culture – Eliza Eggins
Civil Recognition Courage and Mateship – Dan Cherpillod, Marlin
Ketteringham and Dakota Santarossa
Volunteer of the Year – Walter Gray
Young Citizen of the Year – Amber Yendle
Senior Citizen of the Year – Wendy ‘LuLu’ Cowan
Mareeba Shire Awardees:
Young Citizen of the Year – Nicholas Brammer
Junior Sportsperson of the Year – Mackenzie Stephens
Sportsperson of the Year – Frank Tulloch
Sports Administrator Award – Steven Soda
Community Organisation of the Year – Crime Stoppers Queensland Far North Queensland Volunteer Area Committee
Junior Community Service Award – Cassia James
Community Service Award – Terri Goodhew
Environmental Achievement Award – Rupert Russell
Community Event of The Year – Merry Mareeba and Carols by Candlelight
Junior Arts and Cultural Award- Jack Fealy
Junior Group Arts and Culture Award – Koah Sports and Social Club and Dream BIG! Circus School
Arts and Cultural Award – Jamie Malcolm
Tablelands Awardees:
Young Citizen of the Year — Paige Grose
Community Event of the Year — Malanda Bull Ride
Community Service — David McConnell
Inclusion — Lions Club of Malanda
Sports Supporter — Netta Stringer
Junior Sports — Bronte Grose
Sports — Karli Duesbury
Cultural — Khalida De Ridder
Junior Cultural — Tahalia Durrand and Madison Stansby
Originally published as Five Far North legends named Citizen of the Year
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