Residents honoured at 2023 Redlands Coast Australia Day Awards

A Mount Cotton resident who has volunteered across multiple organisations has been named Citizen of the Year at the 2023 Redlands Coast Australia Day Awards.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Craig Luxton was one of 11 people recognised at this year’s awards ceremony at the Alexandra Hills Hotel on 24 January 2023.

“Craig has made an outstanding contribution to our community,” Cr Williams said.

“This has included volunteer roles with Mount Cotton Scouts and as a Branch Commissioner for Scouts Queensland, where he leads the Air Activities and Aviation Program.

“He was a founding member of Community Connections, which supports local non-profit community organisations, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Redlands Coast Salad Bowl Community Garden.

“He is also a volunteer firefighter and was a founding member of the Brisbane Region Rural Fire Brigade at Mount Cotton, volunteered as director of the Queensland Trucking Association and as a steering committee member for the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

“Craig’s commitment to his local and broader community makes him a very worthy recipient of this year’s Citizen of the Year Award.”

Redlands Coast Citizen of the Year Craig Luxton with Redland City Mayor Karen Williams.

The 2023 Redlands Coast Senior Citizen of the Year is Guy Hickey of Macleay Island.

“Guy has been a member of the Macleay Island Rural Fire Brigade since 2007 and has been First Officer since 2017,” Cr Williams said.

“He has actively provided vital home and personal fire safety information to island residents, and has spent many hours providing basic training to new Brigade members and supporting them as they progress.

“He was also president of the Macleay Island Progress Association and was Sailing Master and Vice Commodore at Tingara Boat Club for several years.”

Arthur Rentoul, of Thornlands, was highly commended in the Senior Citizen of the Year category for his contribution to many local groups, including Thornlands State School Parents and Citizens’ Association, Redland Shire Band, Capalaba Lions, Capalaba Rotary, North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum and Redland Museum.

Young Citizen of the Year is Tayla McFarlane, of Ormiston.

“Tayla is an aspiring fashion designer who gives her time to make gowns for young girls, students and models,” Cr Williams said.

“She designs and produces her own unique couture pieces under the label 7roses, and showcased them in major fashion shows in 2022, including the Brisbane Fashion Festival, Brisbane Fashion Month and Designer Q.

“At the 2022 Ekka Natural Fibres Competition she won all five categories she entered while also winning Open Natural Fibres Champion and Grand Champion, and she was named Junior Designer of the Year at the 2021 Apex Australian Teenage Fashion Awards.”

Winners of 2023 Redlands Coast Australia Day Awards: Citizen of the Year – Craig Luxton, of Mount Cotton, for his work with community organisations such as Scouts, Community Connections, Redlands Coast Salad Bowl Community Garden and Rural Fire Service. Senior Citizen of the Year – Guy Hickey, of Macleay Island, for his work with Macleay Island Rural Fire Brigade, Macleay Island Progress Association and Tingara Boat Club. Senior Citizen of the Year, Highly Commended – Arthur Rentoul, of Thornlands, for his contribution to Thornlands State School Parents and Citizens’ Association, Redland Shire Band, Capalaba Lions, Capalaba Rotary, North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum and Redland Museum. Young Citizen of the Year – Tayla McFarlane, of Ormiston; an aspiring fashion designer who makes gowns for young girls, students and models. Local Hero Award – Rob Spencer, of Victoria Point, for his work in aged care, disability care and community affairs, including STAR Community Services Board, Volunteering Redlands and the Redland Disability Network. Local Hero Award, Highly Commended – Don Jackson, of Victoria Point, for his work with community radio station BayFM, Point Lookout Surf Lifesaving Club and Volunteer Marine Rescue, Victoria Point. Reconciliation Award – Joshua Gross, of Dunwich, who uses his art to bring the community together to learn of Quandamooka culture and a shared reconciliation journey. Community Organisation Award – Community Connections in Mount Cotton, which helps other community non-profit organisations to raise funds Cultural Award – Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, of Dunwich; an artist who has contributed to the Redlands Coast community through a range of programs and initiatives, including establishing a Minjerribah-based youth arts group and mentoring young First Nations artists. Sports Award – Blair Habberjam, of Alexandra Hills, for his work with Parkrun in Capalaba and establishing Parkrun at the Scribbly Gums Conservation Area. Environment and Sustainability Award – Zara Price, of Redland Bay, for the waste reduction and environmental initiatives she has led at her school.

Cr Williams thanked everyone nominated for an award for their contributions to the community.

“The award categories reflect the breadth of areas in which our residents are making a real difference,” she said.

“All finalists are deserving of recognition and I thank them for their generosity in giving their time to help make Redlands Coast such a great place to live.”

The awards were judged by Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce former president Cindy Corrie, Uncle Norman Enoch and 2022 Citizen of the Year Dr Lyn Bishop OAM.

Photos from the awards ceremony are available online.