Inspirational Community Champions Celebrated At Australia Day Awards Gala

Rebecca Cooper is a woman with boundless energy and deep compassion who has been the human catalyst for a movement that has transformed the Northern Beaches.

For her community-building efforts, Rebecca has been named the 2025 Mackay Regional Council Australia Day Citizen of the Year.

Mayor Greg Williamson said Rebecca was an amazing person who had achieved something special in the Northern Beaches through her kindness, selflessness and desire to create a connected community.

“By bringing people together through fun, inclusive activities, Rebecca has nurtured a spirit of connection and support, helping to foster a vibrant, resilient and caring community that continues to thrive as the Mackay Northern Beaches area grows,” Mayor Williamson said.

Also recognised at the 2025 Australia Day Awards Gala was Young Citizen of the Year Murray Macgroarty.

Mayor Williamson said Murray was an exceptional young man who, upon hearing about the prevalence of veteran suicide and homelessness, took it on himself to do something about it.

“At just 16, Cadet Sergeant Macgroarty decided to walk 382 kilometres to raise awareness and funds for veteran homelessness,” he said.

“His campaign was called Just Keep Marching, and that’s exactly what Murray did – for nine days he did circuits of the Bluewater Trail and raised more than $11,000 for the cause.

Read more about Rebecca, Murray and every Australia Day award recipient on pages 6-7…

Mackay Regional Council’s 2025 Australia Day Award winners pictured with Mayor Greg Williamson. L-R: Arts and Culture Award ­­– Steven Pritchard, Brenden Borellini Access and Inclusion Achievement Award – Peter Sumpter, Environmental Achievement Award ­­– Maya Harrison, Young Citizen of the Year ­­– Murray Macgroarty, Mayor Greg Williamson, Citizen of the Year ­­– Rebecca Cooper, (back) two representatives for the Senior Sports Award ­­– for Lutie van den Berg, (front) Lori Burgess Community Volunteer Award ­­– Gloria (Bonnie) Spratt, Dan Stampa and Rachel Mundy from the North Mackay Sinkers for the Community Group Award, a representative for the Young Sports Award ­­– Monique Bobongie. Photo supplied: Mackay Regional Council

Local Legends Lead Australia Day Celebrations

Rebecca Cooper, Mackay’s Citizen of the Year for 2025, was the driving force behind the Mackay Northern Beaches Community Week, a 10-day event that brought together 30 activities that invited people to 'gather, create, and activate' with a central focus on enhancing community wellbeing.

Mayor Greg Williamson said she is also the volunteer lead facilitator and organiser behind the Mackay Northern Beaches Community Playgroup, a group that connects about 60 families each week, and has become a lifeline for many families experiencing loneliness.

“She is also a volunteer organiser of the Mackay Northern Beaches Community Network, a network that fosters community arts activities like the ‘A Very Merry YarnBomb’ project and the ‘Crochet and Conversation group’, which focuses on building connections while enhancing individual wellbeing,” he said.

“Rebecca does all of this and actively volunteers with other groups and events in the community, like the Northern Beaches Lions and Seaview Parkrun.

“Through her tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to the local community, Rebecca has made a lasting impact on the Mackay Northern Beaches community.

“Her work has helped to unite people from all walks of life, creating a space where everyone feels welcomed and supported.”

Young Citizen of the Year, Murray Macgroarty, has continued to raise funds for homeless veterans through a variety of means.

Not only did Murray raise more than $11,000 during ‘Just Keep Marching’, but he also connected with the Mackay homeless community that lived around the trail, arranged for the provision of warm clothing supplies, distributed essentials packs, and increased awareness of access to medical health and mental health professionals.

Murray had the support of Local, State and Federal government members, his efforts being highlighted in a speech in Federal Parliament. Murray has continued to raise funds for homeless veterans through a variety of means and has since doubled his original fundraising to about $22,000.

Mayor Williamson said the Lori Burgess Community Volunteer of the Year award also went to an exceptional local champion who, despite her age, was unwavering in her dedication to the community.

Gloria Spratt, known to most as Bonnie, dedicates her life to volunteering in the Mackay community.

“Bonnie is currently 81 years old and volunteers at many organisations in the Mackay region and has done so for about 15 years,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Bonnie handmakes thousands of gift tags and volunteers six to eight hours every day in the months of November and December, gift wrapping in the shopping centre to raise money for local not-for-profit organisations.

“As a member of ESA Australia - Alpha Rho (Mackay branch), she has helped raise more than $500,000 for the Cancer Council of Queensland as well as the Leukaemia Foundation.”

Council also presented a new award in 2025, the Brenden Borellini Access and Inclusion Achievement Award.

The new award was named in honour of Brenden Borellini, who was the Mackay region 2021 Australia Day Arts and Culture Award winner and was also Young Australian of the Year in 1989.

Brenden was an award-winning actor, artist, photographer, accessibility advocate (he spearheaded braille menus in Mackay), workshop facilitator and researcher. His impact on our community, especially through his work at Crossroad Arts, was immense. He was completely deaf and blind.

The inaugural Brenden Borellini Access and Inclusion Achievement Award was presented to Peter Sumpter for advocating for people with disability and coaching adaptive sports for almost two decades.

“Peter has coached the Mackay Machines Wheelchair Basketball Team for the past 17 years and runs weekly programs such as Wheelchair Dancing, Friday Fun and Wheelchair Basketball for people with disability,” Mayor Williamson said.

The judging panel was amazed by the number and quality of nominations submitted this year across the nine categories,’’ he said.

“Selecting a winner in each category was an arduous honour and the sheer volume of exceptional nominees is a real testament to just what an amazing community we have.

“We had 136 nominations across the nine categories, and we would like to acknowledge the 96 nominators, many of whom nominated multiple individuals or groups.”

Mackay’s 2025 Australia Day Award Winners

Citizen of the Year - Rebecca Cooper

Rebecca Cooper has been a passionate volunteer and a true champion for community spirit throughout 2023 and 2024. The initiatives Rebecca has either initiated or actively volunteered in have provided vital opportunities for people to improve their social health and overall wellbeing. By bringing people together through fun, inclusive activities, Rebecca has nurtured a spirit of connection and support, helping to foster a vibrant, resilient and caring community that continues to thrive as the Mackay Northern Beaches area grows.

She embodies the idea that when we show up for each other, we all grow stronger together.

(More on Rebecca on the cover)

Young Citizen of the Year - Murray Macgroarty

When Cadet Sergeant Murray Macgroarty became aware of the Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide and the associated prevalence of veteran homelessness, he determined that the efforts of individuals in the community would make more of a difference for local veterans.

Murray also became aware of a walk that Mackay RSL President Mr Ken Higgins OAM undertook from Mackay to Townsville to raise awareness of Vietnam Veterans more than 30 years ago. With considerable planning and partnering with the Mackay RSL and other supporters, Murray undertook to do a similar distance walk from Komiatum Barracks Mackay to Lavarack Barracks Townsville, 382km, to raise funds for and awareness of local veteran homelessness.

Lori Burgess Community Volunteer of the Year Award – Bonnie Spratt

Gloria Spratt, known to most as Bonnie, dedicates her life to volunteering in the Mackay community. Bonnie, 81, volunteers at many organisations in the Mackay region and has done so for about 15 years.

Every Wednesday Bonnie is a dedicated volunteer to Golden Years, cooking and catering morning tea for the senior citizens of Mackay. Bonnie also volunteers a day a week at Care Kitchen Cooking School, located at St Paul's Uniting Church Kitchen, creating an opportunity for adults with disabilities within the Mackay community to learn to prepare, cook and present food.

When Bonnie is not volunteering at the above organisations, you will find her dedicating her time to her family of four sons, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The Brenden Borellini Access and Inclusion Achievement Award - Peter Sumpter

Peter Sumpter’s biggest passion is advocating for people with disability and coaching adaptive sports.  

Peter volunteers as the program’s coordinator, running the association’s weekly programs, such as Wheelchair Dancing, Friday Fun and Wheelchair Basketball. As a volunteer, Peter choreographs and participates in “Strictly Dancing”, a wheelchair dancing group.

Under Peter’s coaching, the Mackay Machines Wheelchair Basketball Team has become a formidable force in North Queensland. Peter has also been head coach of North Queensland Wheelchair Basketball, and coached Queensland’s Men’s, Women’s and U23 Junior’s Wheelchair Basketball Teams.  All of this is done in a voluntary capacity.

Environmental Achievement Award - Maya Harrison

Maya Harrison is a tireless volunteer, an inclusive educator, a passionate environmentalist, an environmental photographer and artist, and a driving force for every person to have access to nature.

As president and secretary of the Friends of the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens, Maya is behind many events, projects and initiatives that educate the community, beautify the Gardens and improve the experience for visitors.

Maya’s work does not end with the Gardens. She is also involved with the Butterflies and Other Invertebrates Club, the Society for Growing Australian Plants, Toad Busters and the Botanic Gardens of Australia and New Zealand (BGANZ) network.

Arts and Culture Award – Steven Pritchard

Steven Pritchard is a champion of local Mackay history who shatters the stereotype that history is only for older people. Since 2013, Steven has been a pillar of Mackay’s Historical Society and Museum, especially in his roles as research and publicity Officer, and vice president.

His efforts have resulted in the promotion and education of Mackay’s local history to its citizens. Key achievements include the research and authorship of dozens of history feature articles written for the Daily Mercury; running of the Historical Society’s various displays at the Volunteers Expo and other locations; conducting Heritage Walks around Mackay City Centre to support the local school curriculum; speaking at various events or interviews on behalf of the Historical Society.

Community Group Award - The North Mackay Sinkers Masters Swimming Club

The North Mackay Sinkers have been a beacon of community spirit and inclusivity in the Mackay region for more than 31 years. The club has continuously expanded its efforts beyond the pool, focusing on holistic well-being, social connection and support for the broader community. Through its programs, events and fundraising activities, the club has made a profound impact on the Mackay community.

The North Mackay Sinkers have run a Multiple Sclerosis Super Splash event since 2015 and, cumulatively, the club has raised about $64,000 to fight MS.

The club’s annual calendar also includes the Starlight Super Swim to raise money for the Starlight Foundation and the Laps for Life event, to raise money to prevent youth suicide. In 2024, the club actively participated in three major community fundraisers, collectively raising more than $20,000 to support mental health, well-being and improved outcomes for individuals with neurological and other health challenges.

Young Sports Award - Monique Bobongie

Monique Bobongie is taking the Women’s National Basketball League by storm.  She was named Basketball Queensland’s Female Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024.

Recently signed by the Canberra Capitals, making her the youngest starter in the WNBL this season at just 17, Monique stands out as a role model and inspiring leader.

Last year, Monique was an integral part of the U18 Australian Girls Gems team in China at the FIBA Asian Cup. She captained the gold medal championship game, which they won, and was the second highest point scorer for Australia, with 23 points and seven rebounds.

Senior Sports Award - Dr Lutie van den Berg

Lutie van den Berg Sensei is a seventh degree blackbelt and the head coach for the JKA Australian Karate team. He has run his dojo in Mackay since 2000 and, in that time, has changed the lives of thousands of students. He has coached multiple world karate champions who attribute much of their success to his prolific coaching and instructional skills.

One hundred competitors from all over Australia went to Japan in October 2024 for the World Championships in Takasaki with Dr van den Berg as the national head coach. It was one of the largest teams worldwide.

What is notable is that of the 100 Australian team members, 31 were from the Mackay Dojo.

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