Healthcare hero: Meet Toowoomba’s Citizen of the Year

She’s been dubbed one of the region’s most influential people, now this brave frontline worker has been awarded with top Aussie Day Accolade.

The Toowoomba Australia Day Awards ceremony has followed in the footsteps of the national award ceremony’s all-female Australian of the Year line-up, awarding both the Citizen of the Year award and Young Citizen of the Year awards to three strong, dedicated and selfless women who are making big contributions to their community.

This year’s Toowoomba Citizen of the Year was awarded to social anthropologist and Executive Director for Toowoomba Hospital, Shirley-Anne Gardiner.

A mother of three teenagers and passionate supporter of the most vulnerable members of the Toowoomba community, Ms Gardiner is a leading health advocate in the Darling Downs region.

Shirley-Anne Gardiner is the Toowoomba District Citizen of the Year award recipient on Australia Day 2021 at Picnic Point, Tuesday, January 26, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A New Zealand native, Shirley-Anne has become a dedicated volunteer after moving to the Toowoomba region from her hometown of Palmerston North with her family seven years ago.

“I grew up just 20 minutes away from Toowoomba’s sister city of Whanganui and when I first came to Toowoomba it was the middle of the Carnival of Flowers, I knew I would love living and working here,” she said.

The Chronicle named Ms Gardiner one of the top 10 most influential people in Toowoomba for her role in keeping our community safe during the pandemic and in April 2020 she was recognised as a ‘Health Hero’ by Queensland Health in recognition of her efforts leading the Toowoomba Hospital COVID-19 task force.

“One of the highlights of my time here in Toowoomba has been establishing the Vulnerable Communities initiative at the start of COVID last year and seeing the group prosper and achieve so much in our first twelve months we’ve decided to keep it going,” she said.

As Chair of the Queensland Health Chief Operating Officer Forum, Shirley-Anne led the development of a statewide Multi-Faith Framework for Queensland Health, which aims to provide a stronger focus on Multi-Faith support for patients and their families.

A passionate community health advocate, Shirley-Anne is the chair of the Toowoomba Obesity Prevention Focus Group, a board member of Sunrise Way and a member of the Protea Place Management Committee.

She is also a member of the District Disaster Management Group and the Darling Downs Health Diversity and Inclusion Community of Practice.

“I try to cram my weekdays and nights full of meetings and events so that I can leave my weekends free to spend with my husband, Dan and my children,” Ms Gardiner said.

“Dan’s has played a major part in allowing me to pursue my career and passion.

“He was a stay-at-home Dad for the first several years when our children were young, if it wasn’t for his constant support and understanding I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Shirley-Anne Gardiner has been named Toowoomba’s Citizen of the Year for her contribution to the region’s public health sector as well as her dedication to several other community organisations. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“I’m also very grateful to all of the members from all of the committees and organisations I am a part of, they all keep me going when I feel like I’m struggling to continue, they inspire me to continue to do the best I can for the community I’ve come to love and call my home.”

During her address at the Toowoomba Australia Day Awards ceremony at Picnic Point, Ms Gardiner quoted her favourite anthropologist, Margaret Mead.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world,” she said.

“Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”