Edmund ‘Ted’ Mildren, Alex Salvador and Ethan Cavanagh awarded Australia Day honours

The state president for the RAAF association, a drummer who connects people through the power of music and a teenager raising money for the homeless. Get to know the award winners.

Australia Day at Jezzine Barracks, Townsville. Picture: Evan Morgan

The rain held of as Townsville’s Australia Day ceremony kicked off on Sunday morning, acknowledging the outstanding members of the community,

Premier David Crisafulli, Queensland Governor Jeannette Young and Townsville’s acting mayor Ann-Maree Greaney were in attendance and handed out the awards to the recipients.

Here’s a glimpse into the lives of three remarkable recipients and the inspiring stories behind their achievements.

Citizen of the Year

A 43-year career in the Royal Australian Air Force taught Edmund ‘Ted’ Mildren the positive effects friendship and connection can have on someone, which is why he continues to find his work as part of an ex-service organisation so rewarding.

Edmund ‘Ted’ Mildren, the RAAF Association state president, treasurer, and welfare officer for the Townsville branch, was honoured with the Australia Day Citizen of the Year award for 2025.

“I’m absolutely blown away, it’s something I didn’t expect,” Mr Mildren said.

The 76-year-old followed in the footsteps of his older brother and signed up to the RAAF in 1967.

“My older brother kept telling me how good it was, so I joined him, and I stayed there for 43 years. It was a great life,” he said.

“There was always something different happening. You never knew what you were going to get day to day, so it was well worth it; I miss it very much.”

Australia Day at Jezzine Barracks, Townsville. Townsville City Council Australia Day Awards. Senior Citizen of the Year Edmund (Ted) Mildren with great-grandson Noah Dee, 9. Picture: Evan Morgan

Unable to choose a specific highlight from his 43-year career in the ADF, Mr Mildren said it was the camaraderie with his fellow servicemen and women that carried him through the years.

“I’m still in touch with a number of people I worked with over the years. We get on the phone for a chat,” he said.

He was drawn to the RAAF Association by a fellow ex-air force member who started the Townsville branch, becoming one of its original members.

Now serving as state president, treasurer, and welfare officer, he focuses on supporting not only air force veterans but all former government service members.

“Welfare work is important to me because it allows me to give back to those who may be struggling or aren’t well off,” Ted said.

“The message we’re trying to get out is that we’re here to assist.”

At Sunday’s ceremony, Ted planned to discuss the needs of ex-service organisations, including the RSL and Vietnam veterans, with Queensland Premier and Minister for Veterans David Crisafulli, who presented him with the award.

“It’s not just for the air force Association; we’re talking about all ex-service organisations needing support,” he said.

Ted added that it felt wonderful to be surrounded by his two daughters, son-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandson on such a special occasion.

Young Citizen of the Year

As a child, Ethan Cavanagh didn’t want presents for his birthday. Instead he asked his friends for items he could donate to the less fortunate.

It's a tradition he’s carried on every year since then and the reason he was a recipient of a coveted Australia Day award.

Ethan was emotional as he was handed his Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year award on Sunday, an honour he received for his community fundraising efforts for Ronald McDonald House and Althea projects.

“I’m still speechless after that. It’s an incredible honour, and I honestly did not expect to win at all,” Ethan said.

His 17th birthday project, ‘Bags of Kindness,’ focused on providing comfort and dignity to people affected by homelessness in Townsville by donating bags of toiletries, cleaning supplies, and other basic essentials to the Althea Project.

Althea Projects is a Townsville based not-for-profit organisation that provides support to people and families who experience social, emotional, physical and mental wellbeing disadvantages.

Australia Day at Jezzine Barracks, Townsville. Townsville City Council Australia Day Awards. Premier David Crisafulli, Young Citizen of the Year Ethan Cavanagh, Governor Jeanette Young and Deputy Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney. Picture: Evan Morgan

“Originally, we wanted to collect 70 bags of hygiene products that we wanted to give to the Althea company, but it turned out to be way over that, and was around 200” Ethan said.

“I have to thank all the people that supported me, the people who donated as well and the company for allowing me to do so much.”

This year marked seven years of Ethan’s fundraising efforts, a passion he said he received from his mother.

“My mum is a very kind-hearted person and always loves helping out,” he said.

Ethan said his ultimate goal is to be able to help every person struggling with homelessness and was honoured to be recognised for his work with local charities.

“It’s very special to me being recognised for what I have done throughout my journey, and throughout last year, it was mainly just me and my friends, not really the wider public, so being acknowledged is very special,” he said.

Arts and Culture Award

The founder of the popular Full Moon Drum Circle was honoured on Sunday with his second Australia Day Arts and Culture award after 25 years of bringing people together with the power of music.

When Alex Salvador first moved to Australia from the Philippines at 12 years old he turned to the universal language of music to overcome some of the struggles that come with building a new life in a new country.

“I couldn’t relate to the people around me because of the cultural differences but music was one way that we could connect,” he said.

In 2001, Mr Salvador wanted to share his passion for music with the wider Townsville community after experiencing the “magic” of a drum circle during a workshop in the late 90s.

“After that experience of attending a workshop I invited people to come together to play drums,” he said.

Australia Day at Jezzine Barracks, Townsville. Townsville City Council Australia Day Awards. Premier David Crisafulli, Arts and Culture Award Alex Salvador, Governor Jeanette Young and Deputy Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney. Picture: Evan Morgan

“It started with about half a dozen people, and then it grew bigger and bigger.”

Over the years, he has witnessed kids grow up and families expand and seen the positive impact the drum circle has on people’s lives.

“You don’t realise what people are going through,” Mr Salvador said.

“I get messages saying ‘we got so much out of it’ or ‘we are going through a loss in the family, and we really needed this lift’ … when they participate in the making of the music, they get so much out of it.”

The group is now the longest-running council-funded community drum circle in Australia.

“We come together once a month to make music together and connect with each other from toddlers to senior citizens; people of all abilities join in, and for that moment in time, they’re actually connecting as a community,” Mr Salvador said.

Originally published as Edmund ‘Ted’ Mildren, Alex Salvador and Ethan Cavanagh awarded Australia Day honours