Lord Mayor Campbell Newman last night announced the winners of his 2010 Australia Day Awards.
The Lord Mayor’s Australia Day Awards honour the achievements of those who significantly improve the lives of others and contribute to the vision of a harmonious Brisbane.
The were 22 awards handed out across nine categories at last night’s ceremony, which was held at the Rydges at South Bank due to restoration works to save City Hall.
Cr Newman said there were many things to celebrate about Brisbane, but it was the Brisbane people that made it a great city.
“This is my special way of personally thanking the people that help make Brisbane the warm, friendly city that I call my home,” Cr Newman said.
“The 2010 Citizens of the Year are John and Liz Allan, who selflessly fostered 102 children over the past 17 years.
“Senior Citizen of the Year John McCarthy has also tirelessly assisted with the care of the elderly and disadvantaged for 11 years.
“Young Citizen of the Year David Yohan’s work putting community service providers in touch with young people in need is also a reminder of the talent and compassion possessed by Brisbane’s next generation of leaders.”
The Lord Mayor said there was also a new award this year as part of the Green Heart suite of environment awards.
“The inaugural winner of the GreenHeart Youth Award is Kaitlyn Rogers of Mansfield, who developed her school’s first-ever conservation group,” he said.
“I would like to congratulate all the winners and nominees for this year’s Australia Day Awards and thank them for the extraordinary difference they have made to the people of this city.”
Winners are as follows:
Citizen of the Year Mr John and Mrs Liz Allan, Wynnum John and Liz are part of a very large family. Over the past 17 years they have fostered 102 children. In addition to fostering these children, they have raised six of their own children, making theirs an inclusive home. As their family grew, they remained committed to fostering and renovated their house to accommodate their family at their own expense. John and Liz feel that if you can make a difference to a child’s life, it is all worth it.
Senior Citizen of the Year John McCarthy, The Gap
For almost 11 years John has been a bus driver for the St Paul’s Villa aged care facility where he assists staff to care for the residents whilst on regular outings. John assists staff with loading and unloading the bus, as well as helping the sight and mobility impaired from the bus to the BBQ tables and takes the time to explain the scenery and surrounds. John is happy just to serve morning tea and have a chat with each person, and happily volunteers to drive the residents to monthly gatherings at Buranda. In addition, John has been a volunteer at Meals on Wheels for 5 years, delivering meals to the dependant elderly in his area and has also volunteered to drive the Prisons Department bus for the prison inmates on a weekly basis, dedicating many hours to organising outings for the inmates.
Young Citizen of the Year David Yohan, Yeronga David has used his passion for basketball to help young people from diverse cultures develop a sense of trust, belonging and purpose. David founded Providing Awareness with Education and Sport (PAWES), a group which attracts young people by providing opportunities to play sport and gain access to further education services. This group teaches positive life skills and acts as a hub linking community service providers to those young people in need. PAWES currently supports 100 members from diverse cultures and backgrounds. David has created a culture that is warm, welcoming and safe which assists in reducing barriers for displaced young people to engage in activities. David gives up every afternoon, night and weekend to provide a safe place for these young people to come to.
Community Event of the Year Indian Bazaar, Mt Gravatt
The Indian Bazaar is an annual event which has been running for 13 years. The event was created to bring together the Indian community and share their culture with the wider Australian community. Attendance at the event has grown each year and the event has developed from a one-day to a three-day event. This event showcases Indian Culture through food, fashion, arts, crafts and entertainment. The Indian Bazaar has provided a platform to many ethnic communities to perform at, including Greek, Chinese, Muslim and Pacific Islanders, to name a few. The Bazaar has also donated $10,000 to the Starlight Foundation.
Cultural Award Melody Chen, Sunnybank Hills
Melody is a well respected member of the community and has been involved in community activities for more than 15 years. As Managing Director of Vivace Music and Ju Percussion Group, Melody is the driving force behind a number of charity concerts including the NUTN Symphony Orchestra Australian Concert Tour in 2008 and the Australian Cultural Exchange Performance National Taiwan Normal University Queensland Conservatorium in 2007. She has donated to many worthy charities such as the Lions Medical Research Foundation, Mt Gravatt Respite Centre (Blue Care) and the Taiwan Flood Appeal and North Queensland Flood Appeal. During her Presidency of World Arts and Multi-Culture she has been a passionate leader and inspirational role model.
Sports Award Terrelle (Terri) Noakes, Macgregor
Terri has been involved with MacGregor Netball since 1985 and has been President of MacGregor Netball Association since 2002. Terri has been instrumental in applying for and receiving grants to upgrade the courts and grounds. Despite being involved in a terrible accident, which resulted in Terri being wheelchair bound, she has continued to give her all to Netball. During her time at MacGregor, Terri has been actively involved in the Funnet/Midgets program, encouraging young ones to learn the basics of netball.
GreenHeart Award Shealagh Walker, Mt Ommaney
For more than 10 years, Shealagh has been a vocal campaigner for the environment in the Centenary Suburbs, where she joined the Management Committee of the Centenary Riverfront Advisory Committee. Shealagh is also an active member of Brisbane Rainforest Action and Information Network, Save our Waterways Now and Wolston and Centenary Catchment Group. As a member of the Jindalee Bushcare Group she uses her expertise as a landscape gardener to advise the group on area surveys, raising native seedlings and the cultivation and siting of suitable plants for local bushland areas. Shealagh has assisted in saving many valuable tracts of bushland for the community including the Passionist Fathers bushland and the Horizon Drive bushland.
GreenHeart Event Award Art in the Park 2009, Anstead Art in the Park 2009 was a one-day community event set amongst the woodlands of Anstead Bushland Reserve. It was coordinated by volunteers who used the arts to educate, inspire and celebrate the significant environmental values of the local area. Activities included artistry, music and song and attracted approximately 1000 attendees. The event created a unique and rich arts-based experience for the whole community including families, young people, seniors, local community groups, artists, performers and local schools.
GreenHeart Youth Award Kaitlyn Rogers, Mansfield
Kaitlyn developed a love for the environment early, after undertaking work experience at Greening Australia. In year 10, Katilyn established the first environmental conservation group at her high school, called the San Sisto Greenies. The Greenies have tackled rubbish, littering and energy efficiency at San Sisto school and advocated global conservation projects such as Earth Hour. This passion has seen Kaitlyn presented with an award local from her local Councillor, and provided her with the opportunity to discuss issues with the Environmental Minister on ABC radio.
Australia Day Achievement Awards:
Gwenda Joan Braga, Corinda
For many years Gwenda has been involved in community activities, including school tuckshops, neighbourhood watch and Meals on Wheels. Gwenda has been an integral part of Meals on Wheels for 15 years and was elected President of State Council of Queensland Meals on Wheels Services association in 2008. Gwenda is a dedicated member of Meals on Wheels and is an upstanding member of the community.
My-Linh Do, Calamvale
As a Police Liaison Officer with the Queensland Police Service, My-Linh Do has created a bridge between the Vietnamese community and the Australian public by promoting trust and understanding and assisting in reducing crime, educating police officers on cultural issues and improving community knowledge of law and order. My-Linh’s personal experience with domestic violence and war inspired her to fight for others and her training program, Vietnamese Perspective of Domestic Violence, has provided insight into the Vietnamese culture and assisted police with domestic violence in Vietnamese families, minimising victim’s trauma and avoiding negative reactions from perpetrators. My-Linh has published a Vietnamese Road Rules for Queenslanders to increase the safety on our roads by assisting new arrivals from the Vietnamese community to better understand the road rules.
Brenda Gilbert, Parkinson
Brenda has always had a passion for sport, achieving Gold in Doubles Tennis and Silver in Shot-put and Ball Throwing in her age group 60-69, and remained active in sport until she received a heart transplant in 2007. This experience renewed her vigour and now enjoys an active challenging life and dedicates her time to fundraise to send athletes to the transplant games and promotes donor awareness.
Colin Hester, Mt Crosby
Colin is the Founding President of the Mt Crosby Historical Society. Col is an enthusiastic volunteer who promotes an understanding and knowledge of the history of the Mt Crosby community. Col has provided first class historical research for the community including local walking and driving history tours as well as designing an illustrating booklets for each tour. Col has spent the last 9 years planning a series of signs that have been erected using historical images and explanatory text to tell the stories of Mt Crosby’s history. Col has had a lifelong interest in the history of his birthplace and enjoys bringing history to the masses.
Peter Huang, Wishart
Peter is a generous member of the community from humble beginnings who set up the Yong Foundation, a charity organisation aimed at supporting cancer research, diseases affecting the elderly, children and women and significant natural disasters. Peter donated $500,000 of his own money to get his dream off the ground. Peter is the first major real estate franchise to contribute such a significant proportion of its gross revenue to charity.
Wayne Leo, River Hills
Wayne is a founding presenter of the award winning Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT). Wayne has volunteered his time, energy and passion for 22 years to SEAT and has spoken to more than 245,000 children in his time. Wayne has shared his personal experience of spinal injury with others, sending vital injury prevention messages and connecting with children of all ages over Queensland. Wayne is an engaging presenter with a positive outlook on life, whose contribution to SEAT has seen Queensland become the state with the second lowest incidence of spinal chord injury, down from the highest.
Robert Prouse, Fitzgibbon
Bob spends a large portion of his time volunteering at the Aspley Special School Kingfisher Recycling Centre, one of the largest school based recycling centres in the world. He dedicates nights and weekends to ensure members of the community are recycling in the right manner. Despite facing several health challenges, Bob is on site before dawn to sort the large volumes of cardboard and newsprint that the centre collects. Bob’s contribution ensures students of Aspley Special School have a safe and neat educational workplace where they can learn about recycling and environmental awareness.
Darren & Trina Redsell, Tarragindi
Darren and Trina have been active participants, coordinators and volunteers for the Blue Light Disco Association. Trina commenced her involvement with the Blue Light as a teenager in New South Wales. After moving to Brisbane, Trina joined the Mt Gravatt Blue Light Disco Branch Committee. Her input and initiatives in the committee were sought after and appreciated. Darren has been a fundamental part of the Blue Light Branch by setting up the event, supervising the young patrons and has served as a stand in DJ. Darren and Trina were integral in the formulation and commencement of the Southside Blue Light Disco Branch, now known as the Annerley and District Blue Light Branch. Their contribution has identified a real need for structured activities for the youth of Brisbane. Darren and Trina have been leading communicators and coordinators and have secured assistance towards the purchase of equipment for the Blue Light. The regularly undertake duties and activities at their own financial and physical expense.
David Rieck, Sunnybank Hills
David has been the President of the MacGregor Cricket Club for 10 years. The club prospered under his Presidency, to become one of the most significant sporting clubs for junior cricketers on the Southside of Brisbane. David has worked on the redevelopment and improvement of the practice net facilities including lighting for night training, planning of trees and construction of a clubhouse for the benefit of the members. David’s efforts means the Club’s dream is about to be realised. David’s first priority is the cricket players and has been mindful to keep registration fees to a minimum, which has kept participation at a high.
Mark Smoothy, Darra In 2006 Mark established the “Smiling for Smiddy” Challenge, a 1600km bicycle ride to raise funds for cancer research in honour of the loss of his friend, Adam Smiddy. This cycle is over eight days from Brisbane to Home Hill in Queensland’s north, Smiddy’s home town. Mark’s passionate commitment has seen $1.1 million raised for cancer research in three years. The major beneficiary is the Mater Foundation, and $500,000 was raised in 2009.
Dr V.P. Unnikrishnan, Ferny Grove
During Dr Unnikrishnan’s Presidency with the Malayalee Association of Queensland (MAQ), family membership has grown from 75 to 370. Dr Unnikrishnan has made significant improvements to bridging unity in the community. Dr Unnikrishnan is also an active member of the Federation of the Indian Communities (FICQ). Dr Unnikrishnan is dedicated to fostering community activities regardless of cultural, ethnic or religious background. He is the only Malayalam language interpreter in Australia, helping new migrants and Centrelink across Australia.
Peter Vanden Berg, Carseldine
Peter dedicates his time to the Aspley Special School Kingfisher Recycling Centre, one of the largest school based recycling centres in the world. Peter is the coordinator of the pre dawn volunteers and is a specialist at optimising the return the centre gets through the reduction of complex electrical and electronic equipment to their raw materials.
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