Local legends honoured with Australia Day awards

Deserving residents from across the region have been publicly recognised today through the Central Highlands’ Australia Day Awards program.

The winners were announced at Australia Day events in Blackwater, Emerald, Rolleston and Capella this morning, with plenty of people coming to celebrate this extraordinary nation and the people who make it great.

‘I would like to congratulate and thank each award winner and nominee for their valuable contributions to all of the communities within the Central Highlands region,’ Mayor Kerry Hayes said.

‘It is people like this who work tirelessly to ensure the Central Highlands region is such a great place to live, work and play.’

The 2020 Australia Day Award winners are as follows:

Blackwater / Duaringa

Citizen of the Year – Kelli Willmott Young Citizen of the Year – Brodie Brandenberg Community Event of the Year – Dingo State School P&C – Dingo Hogs ‘N’ Dogs Senior Sportsperson / Administrator – Mariah Storch Junior Sports – Brock Olive Cultural – Blackwater Art Society

Capella / Tieri

Citizen of the Year – Donna Bennett Young Citizen of the Year – No nominations Community Event of the Year – John Hallam – Capella Country Music Festival Senior Sportsperson / Administrator – Andrew Jansen Junior Sports – Savannah Herbert Cultural – Julie Tasker – Agood Acrofit Emerald & Capella

Emerald

Citizen of the Year – Selwyn Nutley Young Citizen of the Year – Thomas Currie Community Event of the Year – Comet River Social Association – Bare All Charity Ball Senior Sportsperson / Administrator – Ashley Herwin Junior Sports – Bella Donaldson Cultural – Andrew Doyle

Springsure and Rolleston

Citizen of the Year – Trina Patterson Young Citizen of the Year – Brooke Killalea Community Event of the Year – Springsure Working Horse Association fundraiser weekend Senior Sportsperson / Administrator – Glen & Sandra Knight Junior Sports – Gabriella Ferry Cultural – No nominations