Dedicated volunteers scoop Australia Day Awards

Published: 26th January 2025

In a ceremony held at the Beenleigh Events Centre, Abdul Khan from Woodridge was named as the Citizen of the Year and Riverbend resident Lilly Rider was announced as the Young Citizen of the Year.

Abdul established the Woodridge-based Logan Roos Football Club in 2016 to support refugees and migrants as they transition to a new life.

He has dedicated countless hours through the club to create a safe and welcoming space where individuals can connect, support one another and thrive together.

Abdul has brought people together, bridged cultural gaps and promoted understanding and unity for people from diverse backgrounds.

Lilly, who graduated from Canterbury College last year, was instrumental in igniting a passion among her fellow students and teachers to assist Orange Sky Australia.

She encouraged a small group in 2021 to take on The Sudsy Challenge for Orange Sky.

The group wore bright orange t-shirts for three days straight to shine a light on homelessness and raised almost $5000 for the organisation's work.

Over the past four years, the students, led by Lilly, have raised about $103,000 for Orange Sky.

Lilly has also individually raised more than $12,000 with the support of family, friends and her local community network.

Mayor Jon Raven said the City of Logan was a compassionate place where people supported others in the community.

“Australia Day is the perfect time to celebrate community champions like Abdul and Lilly for the wonderful work they are doing,” Cr Raven said.

“We have so many locals who quietly go about supporting great causes and the community, today is about giving two of them the recognition they deserve for a job well done through our Australia Day Awards.

“Our city’s volunteers are the backbone of Logan and we thank each and every one of them for their dedication to making our city a better place.”

Council also welcomed 180 new Australian citizens during the event.