A Lions Club stalwart and advocate for young women have claimed the top honours at Tablelands Regional Council’s Australia Day Awards.
Citizen of the Year went to Peter Bunyan for his tireless community work for more than 40 years. He has been a member of the Atherton Lions Club since 1979 and held positions including President, Zone Chairman, Youth of the Year Chairman and Director.
He holds a life membership with the Atherton Turf Club after joining in 1978. He has held the position of president and vice president and has been the race track manager for more than 20 years including honorary judge for 13 years.
Sabine Connolly, 16, was named Young Citizen of the Year. In 2016 Sabine attended the Queensland Youth Parliament sitting week where her team presented a bill on youth homelessness which Sabine co-authored.
She has been an active participant in several community consultations on youth issues with the Queensland Attorney General, and involved in many fundraising events such as Relay for Life, Biggest Morning Tea, Maize Festival (where she was the 2016 Maize Queen runner up) and Junior Diabetes Research Fund. In February, Sabine will travel to New York to attend the United Nations Youth Forum.
The ceremony which recognised and acknowledged some exceptional people within the Tablelands communities also welcomed 21 new Australia Citizens.
TRC Mayor Joe Paronella used his Australia Day speech to encourage harmony.
“Let us continue to work together, embracing our differences, to create a sense of place that we are proud of,” Cr Paronella said. “A safe community where our children and grandchildren feel cherished and new opportunities and challenges are tackled with enthusiasm and hope.”
Other winners were:
- Community Event of the Year - Malanda Centenary Show
- Innovation and Industry Award - Startup and Innovation Tablelands
- Senior Cultural Award - Trevor and Connie Duncan
- Junior Cultural Award - Bridie Freeman
- Senior Sports Award - Pamela Evans
- Junior Cultural Award - Travis Wadley
