The spirit of Isaac shines at 2022 local Australia Day awards

A retired rural firefighter, champion bullrider and a 96-year-old bush race weekend are among the major 2022 Isaac Region Australia Day Award winners today.

Clermont local Alister Lawrence, who was a dedicated auxiliary firefighter for 46 years, accepted the Citizen of the Year Award from Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker in Clermont tonight.

Four-time PBR champion Clermont cowboy Aaron Kleier was named Young Citizen of the Year and Event of the Year went to organisers of the Twin Hills Race Club Race Weekend.

Corporate Community Contribution of the Year winner was Clermont4Doctors, a powerhouse community initiative between Glencore Coal and Mackay Hospital and Health Service to attract and retain doctors to Clermont.

The Spirit of Isaac Award winner was Dr Sunday Adebiyi, who has served the community of Dysart diligently for over 18 years, and still maintains such a high level of dedication to his patients and their families.

Mayor Baker said all award winners played an integral part in the community and created a positive difference to the lives of those around them.

“We are a region rich in resources, but we are also blessed with the greatest resource of all - our people, especially through 2021 – another tough year with COVID but we’re making it through together,” she said.

Mayor Baker said rural firefighters were among the heart of our Isaac’s identity.

“Citizen of the Year Alister Lawrence was among those men and women who put themselves in the line of fire,” she said.

“As a dedicated auxiliary firefighter for 46 years, he battled blazes for the sheer love of his local Clermont and Isaac region communities.”

Mayor Baker said regional communities truly come alive when the rodeo comes to town.

“Having our very own champion cowboy who is a role model to many adds to the vibrancy of our region,” Mayor Baker said.

“Clermont local and professional bull rider Aaron Kleier has made history with four back-to-back Australian PBR Champion titles – 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Aaron’s a worthy Young Citizen of the Year.

“We heard about resilient and hardworking people that personify the spirit of Isaac through their passion and work and so many more.

“It is people like these who make me proud to be in Isaac. Congratulations to each of our nominees and winners - your hard work and passion is truly inspiring.”

Glenden’s Australia Day awards ceremony will be held at a later date and will be announced soon.

The 2022 Australia Day Awards is an Isaac Regional Council event assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.

AWARD

WINNER

COMMUNITY

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Alister Lawrence

Clermont

YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Aaron Kleier

Clermont

EVENT OF THE YEAR

Twin Hills Race Club - Race Weekend

Clermont

CORPORATE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION

Clermont4Doctors

Clermont

SPIRIT OF ISAAC AWARD

Dr Sunday Adebiyi of Dysart

MAYOR'S AWARD FOR EACH COMMUNITY

Ilbilbie Craft Group

Grant Oswald

Dysart Junior Rugby League, Bulls & Barrels Bash

Stacey Barnes

Oasis Life Church – Carols by Candlelight

Clarke Creek State School 50th Anniversary Celebrations

St Lawrence Public Sportsgound Committee Inc.

COMMUNITY

AWARD

WINNER

CLERMONT

Individual Medallion for Achievement

Individual Medallion for Sport

Individual Medallion for Arts and Culture

Group Medallion for Achievement

Group Medallion for Sport

Group Medallion for Arts and Culture

Community Business Medallion

Michael Kai-Lok Chan

Justin Barrett  

Michelle Boyes

Central Queensland Hike and Explore

Twin Hills Youth Camp

Clermont Artslink

Clermont Agencies, Hoch and Wilkinson and Leonie Keune for Clermont Beef Expo and Trade Display

DYSART

Individual Medallion for Sport

Group Medallion for Sport  

Community Business Medallion

Sensei Allison Kenny

Dysart Junior Rugby League, Bulls and Barrels Bash

Taylored Automotive Services

MIDDLEMOUNT

Individual Medallion for Achievement

Individual Medallion for Sport

Group Medallion for Sport

Group Medallion for Arts and Culture  

Community Business Medallion

Melissa Travers

Kerri Kenny

Middlemount Boxing and Fitness

Easter Eggstravanza, Middlemount Junior Rugby League Club

Heartz De’Zire

MORANBAH

Individual Medallion for Achievement

Individual Medallion for Sport

Individual Medallion for Arts and Culture

Group Medallion for Achievement

Group Medallion for Sport

Group Medallion for Arts and Culture

Community Business Medallion

Tracey Batchelor

Will Jaques

Ashleigh Newton

Moranbah Twilight Markets

Newman Excavation 100

Moranbah Arts – Haunted House

Moranbah Dance Centre

NEBO

Individual Medallion for Achievement

Individual Medallion for Sport

Group Medallion for Achievement

Senior Constable Andrew Perrett

Jermaine Kynuna

Nebo Emergency Services Day

CARMILA

Group Medallion for Arts and Culture

Group Medallion for Achievement

Community Business Medallion

Ilbilbie Craft Group

Carmila Hotel and Carmila Mechanical for the RACQ CQ Rescue Helicopter Fundraiser  

Carmila Mechanical

ST LAWRENCE

Individual Medallion for Sport

Group Medallion for Achievement

Group Medallion for Sport

Ainsley McArthur

St Lawrence State School 150 Years

St Lawrence Public Sportsground Committee

ENDS