2025 Australia Day Award Nominees Announced

More than 115 nominations were received for 102 amazing Mackay region residents and groups for the 2025 Mackay Regional Council Australia Day Awards.
Mackay Regional 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 who may be experiencing 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.

Award winners from Mackay Regional Council’s 2024 Australia Day Awards. Photo credit: Mackay Regional Council

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
·         Gloria Spratt
·         Heather Marjorie Tuckerman
·         Jay Shipston
·         Karen Jacobsen
·         Katrina Hoare
·         Ken Higgins
·         Kimberly Doyle
·         Mabel Quakawoot
·         Maya Harrison
·         Rebecca Cooper
·         Rob Kidd
·         Rodolphe Le Coz
·         Steven Pritchard
·         Tammy Laval
·         Tylyn Barron
·        Geoff Strange

Young Citizen of the Year
·         Amelia Webber
·         Hunter Flynn
·         Krystal DeMaid
·         Murray MacGroarty
·         Nate Ralph

Lori Burgess Community Volunteer of the Year
·         Alison Graham
·         Alma Blake
·         Betty O'Mara
·         Gordon Hervey
·         Graham Kevin Jackson
·         Janelle Jenner
·         Jenny Scott
·         Judith Fisher
·         Katrina Hoare
·         Barb Hill
·         Carl Butcher
·         Gloria Spratt
·         Heather Marjorie Tuckerman
·         Rebecca Cooper
·         Rob Kidd
·         Ken Coombes
·         Larry Slattery
·         Mary Steel
·         Mary Worby
·         Maxine Godley
·         Meagan Buckley
·         Rick Steindl
·         Sue Houston
·         Tiana Fry
·         Robyn Sheedy
·         Joanne Vanstralen
·         John McMenamin
·         Cathy Platts
·         Geoff Strange
·         Gregory Shaw
·         Peter Sumpter
·         Shane Cook
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
Margaret Ross was the 2024 Arts and Culture Award winner

·         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
Environmental Achievement Award
·         Joanne Vanstralen
·         John McMenamin
·         Maya Harrison
·         Save Eungella
·         Wildlife Care Mackay

Senior Sports Award

Heath Galletly was the 2024 winner of the Senior Sports Award

·         Aaron Jensen
·         Beau Menzies
·         Cathy Platts
·         Colette Shields
·         Dale Potter
·         Jody Walker
·         Lauren Stanger
·         Liam Paro
·         Lutie van den Berg
·         Peter Sumpter
·         Tegan O'Keeffe
·         Tracey Stevenson

Young Sports Award
Takiah Moore-Barrett was the Young Sports Award winner for 2024

·         Kayce Hoani- Vincent
·         Kristen Rowlands
·         Ky Hamilton
·         Monique Bobongie
·         Riley McGrath
·         Trae O'Brien
·         Tyler Thomsen
·         Zac Uhr
·        Krystal DeMaid

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