2019 local Western Downs Australia Day Award winners announced

Western Downs Regional Council has announced the 2019 local Australia Day Award recipients who will be presented with certificates at Australia Day ceremonies across the region.

46* awards will be presented to recipients across six ceremonies on Saturday 26 January including seven school dux awards.

Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh says it’s an honour to recognise the recipients on the day.

“To win an Australia Day Award is a really special achievement and it’s wonderful that we get to celebrate so many great people in our region,” he said.

“We received a lot of nominations and I’m really glad to see so many people nominate someone in their community whether it’s for Citizen of the Year or for Community Project/Event of the Year.

“It’s important to be able to recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions of the recipients in their local towns.

“All of the winners deserve huge congratulations for not only making a difference in their local communities but also in our region.”

Chinchilla and District

• Terrence Dwyer – Citizen of the Year Award • Emma Dendle – Young Citizen of the Year Award • Natalie Stevenson – Junior Sports Award • Chinchilla Community Commerce and Industry “Chinchilla BEST Group – Ignite your Future Careers Tour” – Community Project/Event of the Year Award

Dalby and District

• George and Sandra Hames – Citizen of the Year Award • Zachary Storey – Young Citizen of the Year Award • Tan McKie – Junior Cultural Award • Lionel Cubby – Senior Cultural Award • Bronwyn Henschell – Senior Sports Award • Erin Pascoe – Sports Administrator/Coach/Official Award • Lions Club of Dalby LifeFlight Cubby House Project – Community Project/Event of the Year Award

Jandowae and District

• Ruth Storey – Citizen of the Year Award • Georgia Tanner – Young Citizen of the Year Award • Hazel Bird – Senior Cultural Award • Matthew Brewer – Junior Sports Award • Patrick Weldon – Sports Administrator/Coach/Official Award • Bell State School P&C 2018 Triathlon – Community Project/Event of the Year Award

Miles and District

• Lisa Kennedy – Citizen of the Year Award • Connor Pogan – Young Citizen of the Year Award • Ben Moran – Junior Sports Award • Bevan Johnson – Senior Sports Award • Gordon Gilmour – Sports Administrator/Coach/Official Award • Back to the Bush Festival – Community Project/Event of the Year Award

Tara and District

• Jennifer Abbott – Citizen of the Year Award • Skye Bover-Groen – Young Citizen of the Year Award • Maddison Hallinan – Junior Sports Award • Nathan Josefski – Senior Sports Award • Nathan Josefski – Sports Administrator/Coach/Official Award • Tara Futures Group – Tara Community Expo – Community Project/Event of the Year Award

Wandoan and District

• Pat Hall – Citizen of the Year Award • Haylee Doherty – Junior Sports Award • Cameron Webster – Senior Sports Award • Sam Rathbone – Sports Administrator/Coach/Official Award • 2018 Wandoan Camel Races – Community Project/Event of the Year Award

Certificate of Achievement School Dux Awards

• Benjamin Smyth • Bethanee Hayward • Caley Wales • Campbell Evans • Chloe Major • Daniel Gillespie • Mare Delport

Australia Day events held around the region:

• Bell & District: Bell Bunya Community Centre 7am • Chinchilla & District: Chinchilla Historical Museum 7am • Dalby & District: Thomas Jack Park 7am • Miles & District: Leichhardt Centre 7.30am • Tara & District: Tara Showgrounds 7.30am • Wandoan & District: Juandah Heritage Site 7am

— Ends — Media Contact: Giordann Hall | Communications & Marketing Executive Assistant | 0436 630 269

*Regional winners will be announced on Australia Day 26 January 2019