Jan 26 - Cassowary Coast citizens honoured with Australia Day awards
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A dedicated Rotarian whose commitment and hard work has helped create a successful recreation and fun facility for local families and visitors has earned the Cassowary Coast’s 2019 Citizen of the Year award at an Australia Day ceremony at Mission Beach today.
Tom Brown of Mission Beach has given years of service to his community and has worked tirelessly as a member of the Mission Beach Rotary Club to advocate, raise funds for and coordinate the building of the ‘Splash ‘n’ Dunk’ splash pad, which opened at Rotary Park, Wongaling Beach in mid-2018.
More than 18 Cassowary Coast residents have been honoured this year in areas ranging from environment and culture to sport and community events. Among the winners was academic, sporting and community-minded all-rounder Claire Lowe, who was named Young Citizen of the Year.
Mayor John Kremastos said Australia Day was an important event to celebrate what is great about Australia and being Australian and the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the Cassowary Coast’s quiet achievers.
He said it was people like Tom Brown who, although retired, worked tirelessly to ensure the Cassowary Coast was a great place to live.
The Australia Day awards followed a citizenship ceremony for 12 Cassowary Coast residents from France, the United Kingdom, India, Canada, Thailand and the Philippines.
The event also featured a free sausage sizzle brunch organised by the Mission Beach Swimming Club and a pool party.
Cassowary Coast’s Australia Day award winners are:
Citizen of the Year – Tom Brown Young Citizen of the Year – Claire Lowe Lifetime Contribution – Mara (Mary) Bacic, Paul Roxby, Helen Walsh, Mick Harris, Janet Elders and Rik Kelder Community Event of the Year – Centenary of 1918 Cyclone – Innisfail and District Historical Society Inc.; St Clare’s School 90th Celebrations – St Clare’s Parents & Friends Association and St Clare’s School; Mission Beach Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour – Brian Bywater. Senior Sports Person – Montanna McAvoy Young Sports Person – Brodie Mayocchi Service to Sport – Paulo Di Carlo Young Cultural Award – Byron Di Bella Sustainable Environment – Ingrid Marker Achievement Award – Marsha Nolan; Teoti (Georgie) Larsen; Nancy Lowe; Lucy Berge; Excellence and Innovation Award – Richard Graham. END