2025 Australia Day Award Nominees Announced
Published on 08 January 2025
More than 115 nominations were received for 102 amazing Mackay region residents and groups for the 2025 Mackay Regional Council Australia Day Awards.
Council would like to extend a massive congratulations to all these amazing people and groups.
Council would also like to thank the 96 individuals who submitted nominations, with many submitting multiple nominations.
Nominations were welcomed across the following categories: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Arts and Culture, Environmental Achievement, Lori Burgess Community Volunteer, Community Group, Senior Sports and Young Sports Award.
Mayor Greg Williamson said there was also a new award category this year – the Brenden Borellini Access and Inclusion Achievement Award.
“This award honours individuals or groups who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to remove barriers, implement innovative solutions and advocate for the rights and needs of those with disability and/or mobility and access concerns,” Mayor Williamson said.
“This new award is named in honour of Brenden Borellini, who was the Mackay region 2021 Arts and Culture Award winner but was also Young Australian of the Year in 1989,” he said.
All award winners and nominees will be recognised at a special awards ceremony at the MECC on Saturday, January 25, 2025.
The Australia Day Awards are proudly sponsored by P. Comino and Sons and Tropical Exposure and are supported by Triple M and 7NEWS Mackay.
The following residents and groups were nominated:
Citizen of the Year
Barb Hill
Brett Comerford
Carl Butcher
Damon Woodbridge
Deb Rae
Dr Michael Zhang
Earl Neilsen
Geoff Strange
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Gloria (Bonnie) Spratt
Heather Marjorie Tuckerman
Jay Shipston
Karen Jacobsen
Katrina Hoare
Ken Higgins
Kimberly Doyle
Mabel Quakawoot
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Maya Harrison
Rebecca Cooper
Rob Kidd
Rodolphe Le Coz
Steven Pritchard
Tammy Laval
Tylyn Barron |
Young Citizen of the Year
Amelia Webber
Hunter Flynn
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Krystal DeMaid
Murray MacGroarty
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Nate Ralph
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Lori Burgess Community Volunteer of the Year
Alison Graham
Alma Blake
Barb Hill
Betty O'Mara
Carl Butcher
Cathy Platts
Geoff Strange
Gloria Spratt
Gordon Hervey
Graham Kevin Jackson
Gregory Shaw | Heather Marjorie Tuckerman
Janelle Jenner
Jenny Scott
Joanne Vanstralen
John McMenamin
Judith Fisher
Katrina Hoare
Ken Coombes
Larry Slattery
Mary Steel
Mary Worbey | Maxine Godley
Megan Buckley
Peter Sumpter
Rebecca Cooper
Rick Steindl
Rob Kidd
Robyn Burns
Robyn Sheedy
Shane Cook
Sue Houston
Tiana Fry |
Brenden Borellini Access and Inclusion Achievement Award
Advanced Therapy Mackay
Brett Comerford
Charlee Presland
Frank De Battista | Gregory Shaw
Krystal DeMaid
Maya Harrison
Murray MacGroarty | Orange Sky Mackay & Sarina
Peter Sumpter |
Arts and Culture Award
Barbara Sleeman
Billy Anderson
Gregory Shaw
Jan Millard
Jaxon Anderson
Jay Shipston | John Linden
Karen Jacobsen
Mitchell Gross
Patrick Thaiday
Pioneer Potters Mackay Inc.
Pioneer Praise | Ruth Falvey
Sarah Purnell
Steven Pritchard
Tammy Laval |
Community Group Award
Eastern Swans Football Club
Eungella Community Development Association
Happy Paws Happy Hearts - Mackay Region
Hibiscus Coast District Scouts Adventurous Activities Team
Mackay City Heart Collective
Mackay Pet Rescue Incorporated
Mackay Yamadi Lera Yumi Meta Assoc Inc
North Mackay Sinkers Masters Swimming
Club
Orange Sky Mackay & Sarina | Pioneer Potters Mackay Inc.
Save Eungella
SNAGS Mackay
Special Olympics Mackay Fire
The Just Saying Project
The Nurtured Village Hampers Mackay
True Street Cars CQ Mackay
Wildlife Care Mackay
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Environmental Achievement Award
Joanne Vanstralen
John McMenamin
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Maya Harrison
Save Eungella
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Wildlife Care Mackay
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Senior Sports Award
Aaron Jensen
Beau Menzies
Cathy Platts
Colette Shields
Dale Potter
| Damon Woodbridge
Jody Walker
Lauren Stanger
Liam Paro
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Lutie van den Berg
Peter Sumpter
Tegan O'Keeffe
Tracey Stevenson
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Young Sports Award
Kayce Hoani-Vincent
Kristen Rowlands
Ky Hamilton
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Monique Bobongie
Riley McGrath
Trae O'Brien
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Tyler Thomsen
Zac Uhr
Krystal DeMaid |