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"In designing this Logo consideration was given to the vital and growing effects the sun has on all aspects of a healthy and prosperous life. Here, it is represented in a loose design by the Swirl in traditional sun yellow colour. Under the swirl are two stripes. The red stripe represents the earth of the South Burnett, while the green represents the foliage and crops that make the region so famous and bountiful."
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Australia Day Award Nominations Now Open!
Download a nomination form
South Burnett Regional Council has announced that nominations are now open for the region's annual Australia Day Awards for 2010.
These awards provide the community with an opportunity to acknowledge and reward outstanding groups and individuals committed to improving the lifestyle experienced in our region. The award categories that have been chosen give our individual communities equal opportunity to nominate those who have made special contributions to their local community.
Award categories are as follows:-
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Hurry! Nominations close 30 November 2009
2009 Australia Day Award Winners
South Burnett Citizen of the Year
Mr Reginald McCallum - Reg has been an outstanding community member and is this year's winner of the South Burnett Citizen of the Year Award. Reg has served the Nanango community in local government for a period of forty years, firstly as a Councillor from 1968 - 1976 and then as the elected Mayor in 1976, a role he retained until Council amalgamations in 2008, making him the longest serving Mayor in Australasia. One of his major negotiations was locating Tarong Power Station and associated coal mine.
Reg has also been a major advocate for local tourism for the region and his promotion of major international sporting events that have been held in the township of Nanango. Reg has given unequivocal support to the highly successful staging of the 1000 mile footrace on four occasions in the South Burnett. Another event that Reg also immersed himself in was the Tom Quilty Gold Cup ride, also of international repute, in September 2008 which was awarded the state outdoor event of the year.
Reg has made significant contributions to the Pioneer Festival, local sporting organisations, including the Nanango Race Club, the establishment and efficient Emergency Services in Nanango and is a well-recognised and a popular visitor to local schools. Reg continues to support and participate in the activities of numerous community organisations.
Kingaroy Citizen of the Year
Peter Mortimer - Peter has been the major driving force behind the South Burnett Auction Mart which is operated as a sub-committee of the Kingaroy State High School P & C Association. Relocating the South Burnett Auction Mart from Kingaroy Shire Council Pound Street Depot , to a new building on the Kingaroy State High School grounds was a major project and achievement, which would not have been possible without Peter Mortimer's dedication, commitment and business expertise. Peter spent many dedicated voluntary hours assisting the South Burnett Auction Mart to be the success that it is today.
Murgon Citizen of the Year
Cynthia Hatchett - Cynthia has been a major contributor to the local community of Murgon and the surrounding area for many years, due to her plentiful memberships and achievements as well as her wiliness to be involved in all aspects of local activities. Cynthia has been a member of the Murgon QCWA for 33 years, the Murgon Show Society, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts Parents Committee, Murgon Hospital Auxiliary any many more.
Cynthia served as a Councillor for 12 years on the Murgon Shire Council prior to amalgamations in March, 2008. Her dedication and involvement in tourism, community support and culture was appreciated by the Murgon township and surrounding area.
Cynthia has also had great achievement as a member of the QCWA whereby she received a 25 year service badge and has twice been a State Finalist in the Gympie/South Burnett Country Woman of the Year.
Nanango Citizen of the Year
Denny Smith - Denny joined the Blackbutt SES in 2000, and became a Group Leader in 2006. He has led the group on many activations and is an extremely capable and competent leader who continues to fulfil his duty to his local community and surrounding district. Denny also received an award for attending the Cyclone Larry clean-up for his hard work and dedication to the SES.
Denny has been a driver for the South Burnett Community Integrated Transport Service for four years which assists the elderly members of the community with their transportation needs. Denny is a quiet, hardworking member of the community who has shown great service to his local area.
Wondai Citizen of the Year
Carol Francis - Carol is a well known local identity in the township of Wondai and surrounding area. A member, publicity officer and musical director of the Wondai Senior Citizens Club, Carol's friendly, welcoming smile and approachable demeanour is a cherished quality of her peers and the local community.
Carol has been a member of the QCWA since 1963, whereby she has undertaken many roles as Choir mistress and member, international officer and press secretary. Carol is an active member of the Baptist church and Women's Union, volunteers many hours of service visiting, transporting and conducting music therapy to patients at the local hospital.
Carol is involved in many community organisations, and approaches each with immense commitment and enthusiasm.
Kingaroy Young Citizen of the Year
Tara Ballin - Tara has made a very significant, positive contribution to her school and community. In her role as Nanango State High School vice captain for 2008, Tara has led by example and participated in a range of activities. Tara played a lead role in the 2008 school musical, a task that required considerable commitment and discipline.
In 2008, Tara participated in the Rostrum Public Speaking Competition and was a member of the year 12 formal committee. Tara was awarded the Celebrating Success Certificate which is given to students who are well behaved, cooperative and work diligently throughout the year in all of their subjects. Tara was also awarded the Caltex Best All Rounder Medal in 2008 for her general all round scholastic and sporting ability and service to the school through extra-curricular activities.
Tara participated in Relay for Life, raising funds for cancer research, as well as volunteering at the Kingaroy Peanut Festival in 2007 and 2008. Tara is an energetic, committed and positive student who is highly regarded by her teachers, peers and the local community.
Murgon Young Citizen of the Year
Emma Patton - In 2008, Emma was presented with the Murgon State High School Dux Award, the Caltex Best All Rounder Award, Sportswoman of the Year Award and Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award.
Emma was the Murgon State High School Open Girls Athletics and Swimming Champion in 2008, and was elected to the position of Senior Leader and Chairperson of the Murgon High School Student Council Sports Committee, whereby she organised lunchtime sporting competitions for all students as well as a trip to Brisbane to watch a National Rugby League game.
Emma participated in Relay for Life in 2008, - was actively involved in the Student Council, organised catering for large sporting events and has been an exemplary student and community member in Murgon in both academic and sporting achievement.
Nanango Young Citizen of the Year
Sofia Cabrera - Sofia has been an energetic and committed school, community and sports person. Sofia was selected to attend the 2007 National Young Science Forum and participated in Biofutures, a week long biotechnology forum at the University of Queensland. Sofia was the UQ Science Ambassador in 2007 and Co-Captain for the school's netball team.
Sofia was a regional finalist in 2008 in the Lions Youth of the Year. Sofia has shown support for her community by volunteering to collect for the Red Shield Appeal and be involved in the School's Relay for Life team, raising money for cancer.
Sofia received the Nanango State High School 2008 Senior Dux Award and the Prize of Honour Award which is presented to a student by the teaching staff because of the outstanding qualities of leadership, cooperation and service to the school community. Sofia was awarded the subject prizes for Chemistry, Mathematics B, Economics and Academic Excellence Medal recognising her achievement across a range of subjects. Sofia is highly regarded by her teachers, peers and the local community for her enthusiasm, positive attitude and her courteous and respectful demeanour.
Wondai Young Citizen of the Year
Unfortunately there were no nominations for this Award for 2009.
South Burnett Small Communities Award
Proston Pastoral Agricultural & Horticultural Society - The Proston Show Society was founded in 1956 with the first show held in 1958. The legacy provided by the founding members has continued and the 50th Show was held on the 8th March, 2008. The focus of this event was on the history of the Show Society and the heritage of their district.
The Show Ball kick started the celebrations for 2008, with the Proston Show being held a week later. The 2008 Official Opening was a major event on the day and was conducted by the Governor of Queensland, Quentin Bryce, with an anniversary cake being cut by original members of the Committee. A book was printed to capture the history of the Show Society and a DVD was made from film taken at previous shows.
The 50th Show has been a major event for the Proston district and is a testament of the pride of the local people working together for the good of the community and for the future of this historical township. The contribution of an event of this magnitude in small communities ensures the continued thriving success of the Community and it's people and the well being for future generations.
South Burnett Community Event of the year
South Burnett Rugby League Team of the Century Celebratory Dinner - 2008 was the Centenary of Rugby League in Australia and a National Team of the Century was selected. As a part of this national initiative a South Burnett team was also named at a Celebratory Dinner held on 4 October, 2008. The South Burnett Rugby League Team of the Century Celebratory Dinner was held in the township of Murgon. The announcement of 13 players, 4 reserves and a coach was made in front of a crowd of over 430 players, supporters and guests.
The contribution to the community was a surge of pride, passion, mateship and enthusiasm. The event clearly illustrated that the South Burnett has been regarded and respected by League critics as one of the best nurseries in Australia with numerous state, national and NRL players beginning their sporting careers in this community. These players still bring enormous pride to this area as does the organising committee, who are commended by the South Burnett Region for their enormous efforts in bringing together this major event.
South Burnett Cultural Award
Joanne Kennedy - Joanne was responsible for the humble beginning of and for musically directing the South Burnett Community Orchestra Inc to the high level of success it is achieving today. Joanne has an amazing dedication and driving influence which has seen the South Burnett Community Orchestra grow and exceed all expectations in every aspect. Under Joanne's guidance and expertise the orchestra has grown from 13 players to its present membership which is in excess of 60 people. Joanne's ability to tap into and access funding has ensured that the instruments and assets register has grown from a single pair of drum sticks to an almost complete percussion outfit.
Joanne has cleverly modelled the 'Orchestra Family' through her dedicated leadership and deserves the recognition for her diligence in this field of culture in the South Burnett Region.
South Burnett Junior Sportsperson of the Year
Matthew Hume - 17 year old Matthew Hume was the Nanango State High School Captain for 2008. He is a member of the Nanango Soccer Club, Nanango Cricket Club and Captains the Senior Club Cricket Team. Matthew represented the Wide Bay School Boys 19 years and under football 2008 team at the State Championships in Brisbane, the only South Burnett representative in this team. He also represented the Wide Bay School Boys Cricket 19 and under side at the State Championships in Brisbane in 2007 and 2008. Matthew was also named Sportsperson of the Year in 2008 at the Nanango State High School Awards Ceremony.
Matthew has also become a fully registered community coach for Australian Sports Commission Active After School Communities program and ran an after hours school cricket program with the Nanango Primary School students, he assists with coaching current under 14 junior cricketers and holds a junior coaching licence for Soccer and has jointly coached the under 8 Nanango Club Football team.
South Burnett Senior Sportsperson of the Year
Damian Nicholson - Damian has achieved results in the field of Karate. These include 1st place in Men's events at Queensland State Titles and at the National Titles. He also assists Karate club members prepare for national and international competitions.
Damian is a teacher at the Kingaroy State High School and has been actively involved in running a monthly computer club at the Enterprise Centre, helping to train junior karate club members, coaching school cricket, volleyball and squash sport teams. He is heavily involved in tutoring students and organising after school sporting and social events, outside of school hours.
South Burnett Sports Administrator of the Year
Darren Geiger - Darren Geiger is the Coaching Director of the Kingaroy Junior Rugby League, and liaises with Australian Rugby League Development Officer to run coaching clinics throughout the South Burnett region. Darren is the under 12's Taabinga State School, South Burnett and Wide Bay Coach for Rugby League and is the Captain/Coach and organiser of his local cricket team.
Darren has been the Taabinga State School Active After-school Communities Site Coordinator, as well as the Education Queensland 'Smart Moves' Burnett Coordinator.
Darren has been conducting these roles for numerous years throughout the South Burnett, and local sport in this region has developed significantly due to his enthusiasm and community efforts.
South Burnett Young Citizen of the Year
David Birch - David has been the Kingaroy Sate High School Vice Captain and Treasurer of the Student Council, and in these positions has been a fine role model for the school community. His enthusiasm and commitment to the Kingaroy State High School 'Active Citizen' program has seen him supporting St Vincent de Paul, Crossroads and the Operation Northern Neighbours project at Kingaroy State High School.
David was awarded an Australian Defence Force Bursary for leadership and teamwork in 2006. He has been an active member of the school instrumental groups in the Stage and Concert Bands and was a regional finalist in the Lions 'Youth of the Year'.
However one of David's most remarkable traits was the compassion and initiative he showed in fundraising to go with a group of young people to Uganda in November 2007, whereby they assisted with building houses for orphans in Watoto.