Lockyer Valley Australia Day award winners recognised for community work

Passionate volunteers have been recognised for their dedication to the community, receiving top gongs at this year’s Lockyer Valley Australia Day ceremony.

Hard working and dedicated volunteers have had their service to the Lockyer Valley community recognised at today’s Australia Day Awards ceremony.

At a formal ceremony at Gatton Shire Hall on Wednesday morning, Gatton’s Doreen Sabburg was awarded the 2022 Lockyer Valley Citizen of the Year, while Lockrose’s Chantelle Greif was bestowed Young Citizen of the Year.

For more than 64 years, Ms Sabburg has volunteered at the Peace Lutheran Church, and her long association with the Ladies Women’s Guild stretches back to the early 1950s.

Gatton community icon Doreen Sabburg was named Citizen of the Year for 2022. Photo Francis Witsenhuysen / Gatton Star

Well known and highly respected in the community, Ms Sabburg has dedicated her life to helping others and epitomises the values of Citizen of the Year, Lockyer Valley Mayor Tanya Milligan said.

“This is such a fitting recognition for Doreen, who has spent more than half a century selflessly giving her time and assisting others in the community – and she shows no signs of slowing down,” Ms Milligan said.

“Doreen is a great supporter of community events, attending every Australia Day Awards ceremony fully kitted out in Australia gear, which makes bestowing this award on her today even more special.”

Just like Ms Sabburg, Ms Greif has always been willing to lend a hand and help others in need, volunteering her time at a Laidley animal rescue, Riding for the Disabled and NAIDOC and Multicultural Festival events.

Ms Milligan said the teen – who is also an active member of the Plainland 2nd Light Horse and 139th Army Cadets – had made the community proud, not only through her impressive volunteering efforts but also her sporting prowess.

Chantelle Greif riding Rocky the horse during the Walk A (Assisted) competition at the RDAQ 2018 State Championship held at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre, Caboolture, Saturday, July 14, 2018. (AAP Image/Regi Varghese)

“Chantelle was the first multiclass athlete from the Lockyer to compete at the Pacific School Games in 30 years,” Ms Milligan said.

“She was only 13 years old at the time, winning a silver medal at the Pacific School Games in 2018.

“Chantelle is a fantastic role model that others in the community can aspire to.”

Several other awards were presented to deserving recipients during the official Australia Day ceremony, including the prestigious Mayoral Award.

This year, the Mayor’s choice went to local icon and businesswoman, Valerie Vaughan.

Ms Milligan said it gave her great pleasure to announce Ms Vaughan as the recipient of the award, which recognises a community member who has achieved great things for others.

“Valerie is a highly valued member of our community, raised on the land as a child where an understanding of country values was planted and nurtured,” Ms Milligan said.

“Her compassion, kindness and exceptional service is legendary in Gatton and she has touched many lives over the years, often opening her chemist before and after business hours to those in need, and generally going above and beyond for our community.

“If there’s a community event or something good for the town, or even a problem that requires attention, Valerie would likely be there.”

Lockyer Valley Australia Day Award recipients:

Citizen of the Year: Doreen Sabburg

Young Citizen of the Year: Chantelle Greif

Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Sage Martin

Community Organisation of the Year: Gatton Rugby League Football Club – Gatton Hawks

Event of the Year: 2021 Gatton Show

Mayoral Award: Valerie Vaughan