Isaac Australia Day awards: Every winner in the 2022 ceremonies
A retired rural firefighter, champion bullrider and a 96-year-old bush race weekend are among the major 2022 Isaac Australia Day award winners. Read the full list.
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A retired rural firefighter, champion bullrider and a 96-year-old bush race weekend are among the major 2022 Isaac Region Australia Day Award winners.
Clermont local Alister Lawrence, who was a dedicated auxiliary firefighter for 46 years, accepted the Citizen of the Year Award from Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker in Clermont on Wednesday night.
Four-time PBR champion cowboy Aaron Kleier from Clermont was named Young Citizen of the Year and Event of the Year went to organisers of the Twin Hills Race Club Race Weekend.
Corporate Community Contribution of the Year winner was Clermont4Doctors, a powerhouse community initiative between Glencore Coal and Mackay Hospital and Health Service to attract and retain doctors in Clermont.
The Spirit of Isaac Award winner was Dr Sunday Adebiyi, who has served the community of Dysart diligently for more than 18 years, and still maintains such a high level of dedication to his patients and their families.
Ms Baker said all award winners played an integral part in the community and created a positive difference to the lives of those around them.
“We are a region rich in resources, but we are also blessed with the greatest resource of all – our people, especially through 2021 – another tough year with Covid but we’re making it through together,” she said.
“We heard about resilient and hardworking people that personify the spirit of Isaac through their passion and work and so many more.
“It is people like these who make me proud to be in Isaac.
“Congratulations to each of our nominees and winners – your hard work and passion is truly inspiring.”
Citizen of the year: Alister Lawrence
Our rural firefighters are at the heart of our Isaac’s identity. Alister Lawrence is among those men and women who put themselves in the line of fire.
As a dedicated auxiliary firefighter for 46 years, he battled blazes for the sheer love of his local Clermont and Isaac region communities.
Mr Lawrence is an unsung local Clermont hero. He joined the Clermont Brigade aged 19 and over almost five decades he stepped up to lieutenant and captain.
He then graciously stepped down to let young officers gain experience.
Mr Lawrence has seen many changes over the years and fought many fires, including the Paramount Theatre fire and the raging hot fire behind the hospital.
He hung up his hat July 2021 at the ripe old age of 65 because of mandatory retirement.
It is such a great testament to his long and noble service.
It takes a special kind of person to dedicate their life to their community, missing personal and family events and milestones.
Mr Lawrence has paved the way for future generations of firefighters, inspiring them to go forth and protect the beloved Clermont community.
Young citizen of the year: Aaron Kleier
Our regional communities truly come alive when the rodeo comes to town. Having our very own champion cowboy adds to the vibrancy of our region.
Clermont local and professional bull rider Aaron Kleier has made history with four back-to-back Australian PBR Champion titles – 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
He spends his days working on the family property, Luxor, where he grew up, 40km west of Clermont.
Kleier has competed as a professional bull rider in the Monster Energy Pro Bull Riding circuit since he was age 18.
In his debut year, 2017, he was crowned the PBR Rookie of the Year.
Kleier has garnered praised from Australian and international peers especially from legendary bull rider and former champion Troy Dunn.
He is a genuine sports talent, good person and stellar role model to children and adults alike not just in the Isaac region but across the entire country.
Event of the year: Twin Hills Race Club
The Twin Hills Race Club celebrated its 96th year in incredible style last year.
The club hosts a vital community event annually that provides support and mental health awareness for local community members, especially at times of drought and Covid restrictions.
Not only does the club support the local rural communities but contributes to the economic growth of the region, supporting and promoting local businesses.
Spectators from all corners of the countryside made their way through the gates over the weekend to be a part of the 2021 Twin Hills Races, Rodeo and Campdraft.
The very spring Friday in September attracted 1200 patrons then on Saturday, 1800 showed their support.
Having to comply with CovidSafe guidelines, the safe and enjoyable family weekend had plenty to offer for everyone.
It takes an immense effort to put on an event such as this in an isolated location.
The unique club is at the very heart of central Queensland.
Driven by a small but dedicated committee, they are passionate about promoting country racing and ensuring vital community events continue long into the future.
Corporate Contribution: CLERMONT4DOCTORS
Clermont4Doctors is a community initiative with Glencore Coal and Mackay Hospital and Health Service to attract and retain doctors to Clermont.
The purpose of Clermont4Doctors is to attract doctors to live and work locally.
A welcoming program that has been crafted offers connection to people and groups with similar hobbies for doctors and their families. The aim is to encourage doctors to stay long term.
Clermont offers a work life balance for doctors and their families rarely found outside rural areas.
A small-town setting allows for meaningful relationships with patients partnered with challenging, rewarding work and a genuine sense of professional satisfaction.
Clermont4Doctors offers incentives for medical professionals ready to make the move.
Spirit of Isaac: Dr Sunday Adebiyi
There are few people in our region who have offered more to their community than Dr Sunday Adebiyi.
Dr Sunday has worked in Dysart for over 18 years, and still maintains such a high level of dedication to his patients and their families.
Late nights and early mornings are no stranger to Dr Sunday.
He works diligently to ensure his vulnerable patients are safe and well.
He often makes home calls to those who are unable to attend his practice.
In Dysart’s purpose-built medical practice, Dr Sunday employs locals from many different backgrounds, creating an atmosphere of inclusivity and professionalism.
Mayor’s Award: Ilbilbie Craft Group, Carmila
The Ilbilbie Craft Group tailored a successful 2021 Quilt and Craft Show.
The show promoted the talent and diversity of the group’s members in a rural and isolated area.
While the show is now in its third year, the group highlighted the willingness and positivity of members and their families.
They volunteered to set up, cook food, sell tickets and they assisted when needed.
The group meets weekly and have done so for almost 30 years.
The social craft circle has given incredible support for health and wellness of all its members – no matter what their age.
The Ilbilbie’s 2021 Quilt and Craft Show was clearly an outstanding achievement of everyday people making a difference for their community.
Mayor’s Award: Grant Oswald, Clermont
To many people, a pharmacist is someone who wears a white coat and works behind a counter filling out prescriptions or providing advice to treat common ailments.
We put our faith into a pharmacist and our local Clermont chemist is much more than a community shopfront.
Since Grant Oswald moved to Clermont 14 years ago to run the local pharmacy, he has made an incredible difference to our health and wellness especially through these tough times.
Mr Oswald has organised four Jugs and Jocks events to help bring mental health and issues out of the shadows.
He and his family are also well involved in various committees and clubs throughout Clermont.
The quality of the pharmacy in a regional town such as Clermont is outstanding, with the Clermont Pharmacy winning the 2021 Queensland Guardian Community Engagement Pharmacy.
It has also taken out Community Pharmacy on two other occasions.
Pharmacists rank in the top 10 most trusted professions in Australia.
Mayor’s Award: Dysart Junior Rugby League for the Bulls and Barrels Bash
Our Isaac region is a community with a proud history, steeped in a diverse and active lifestyle.
Pure people power is the pillar for our communities and just like coal mining, rugby league is in our DNA.
The Dysart Junior Rugby League Club embodies this sporting passion.
For the first time in more than 20 years, the club’s Bulls and Barrels Bash event brought together towns across the Isaac region for a great game of rugby league.
The locals had a chance to compete in front of a home crowd, bringing people of all ages from all over Central Queensland.
The club benefited from the fundraising opportunity to help them get back on their feet after a rough couple of years.
It also encouraged local business to get involved through sponsorship and to promote their community spirit.
Mayor’s Award: Mark Hare, Glenden
Mark Hare has been an outstanding citizen for the Glenden community for more than a decade.
Mr Hare embodies his community and always strives to get more for our town.
He provides a free on-call service to the community to catch and relocate our slithery friends.
He volunteers as a junior soccer coach; he established a live action role playing group and he plays a pivotal role in Glenden’s Anzac Day ceremonies as an ex-serviceman.
Mr Hare advocates for the Isaac region for resilient and active communities by working with the Glenden Rural Interest Group to restart three holes at the Glenden Golf Course.
He’s the man who is always willing to give a helping hand.
Mayor’s Award: Stacey Barnes, Middlemount
Stacey Barnes has lived in Middlemount for six years and during this time she has been a tireless behind-the-scenes worker to a variety of community events and clubs.
She is involved in the Mulligrubs Playgroup, is the junior rugby league’s first aider and she was integral in raising money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service by organising a netball Fast 5 season.
Ms Barnes has also previously coached gymnastics.
An avid local sports supporter and a mother-of-three, Ms Barnes does all this while also maintaining her nursing duties at the medical centre.
You will be hard pressed not to see her at a community event, helping whenever she can.
In true Australian spirit, nothing is too much for Ms Barnes when it comes to the community.
Mayor’s Award: Oasis Life Church’s Carols By Candlelight
Moranbah’s Community Carols by Candlelight has been part of the region’s Christmas celebrations for 20 years.
It involves enormous orchestration of logistic planning, rostering, commitment and good old fashion passion.
It attracts more than 3500 people and it has even unearthed some talent among the mix.
This would not happen with the powerhouse commitment from Oasis Life Church.
The members run a variety of social and wellbeing programs in Moranbah which brings value in our community.
Mayor’s Award: Clarke Creek State School’s 50th Anniversary celebrations
Clarke Creek State School celebrated an incredible milestone – they turned 50.
For more than 50 years this has been a truly wonderful school with incredible multi-generational links.
Clarke Creek State School opened in May, 1971 with an enrolment of 13.
Over the years, enrolments have changed as the economic and social development of the community depends on livestock and rural industries prospering or sustaining itself through changing economic and climate events.
Students and staff, past and present, made the pilgrimage with their families from across the state to this tiny part of the world.
Visitors and residents enjoyed a range of market stalls featuring First Nations and local artists, craftsmen and a range of activities for kids.
But most of all was the reconnection between friends, reminiscing about old times and creating new memories.
What better way to acknowledge education to say thank you to the dedicated people from the past and present bring to the Isaac region.
Education will always be the pillar to ensure community sustainability well into the future. Here’s to 50 more Clarke Creek.
Mayor’s Award: St Lawrence Public Sportsground Committee Inc
Sport and physical activity have long been used as a tool to improve mental, physical and social wellbeing.
St Lawrence Public Sportsground Committee Inc has been at the forefront of promoting the benefits on the Isaac coast.
In particular, in 2021, the club hosted the Annual Cricket Day of St Lawrence in conjunction with Men’s Mental Health.
It didn’t matter if you were a cricket fanatic or up for a social day out – it was all about having a chat, bat and a bowl with former Test fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz.
The day created a wonderful chance for the community to get together and start important conversations.
On average, one in eight men will experience depression and one in five men will experience anxiety at some stage of their lives.
* Glenden’s Australia Day awards ceremony will be held at a later date.
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Originally published as Isaac Australia Day awards: Every winner in the 2022 ceremonies
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