Australia Day 2021: A Day to reflect, respect and celebrate
Whitsunday Regional Council has marked Australia Day 2021 by honouring the region’s high achievers, while also welcoming those who took the pledge to become our newest Australian Citizens.
Community celebrations and official ceremonies were held across the Whitsunday region in Collinsville, Bowen and Airlie Beach.
Mayor Andrew Willcox said that it is always a great honour to be part of such a special day.
“On Australia Day we come together as a nation to celebrate what's great about our country and reflect, respect and celebrate the Australian story,” he said.
“We reflect on the history, both highs and lows, of an extraordinary nation and the new chapters being written every day.
“We respect the stories of others in our wonderfully diverse country.
“And we celebrate all the things we love about Australia: land, sense of fair go, lifestyle, democracy, the freedoms we enjoy and particularly our people.
“We are all part of the Australian story and we all have a role to play in its future,” Mayor Willcox said.
“These are unusual times as we are in the midst of a global pandemic. It has had significant and profound effects on our community.
“Economic, social, industry impacts, employment, uncertainty, border closures, lockdowns, and of course the confronting reality of illness and loss of life.
“The Whitsunday community response to date demonstrates that when we truly come together as a united region, we are strong, we are resilient, we will bounce back and we'll be better and stronger than ever.
“Like many people in our community, our Australia Day Award winners have one thing in common, and that is that they are genuine community minded people who hold a passion for what they do,” he said.
The full list of the Whitsunday Region Australia Day Award Winners 2021 are as follows:
Mayoral Award - Barbara Adamson
Collinsville
Citizen of the Year – Ann-Marie Williamson
Young Citizen of the Year – Siahan Batchelor
Senior Citizen of the Year – Denise Hall
Senior Sportsperson Award – Owen Williamson
Junior Sportsperson Award – Alexie Collett
Sports Administrator Award – Donna Bulloch
Senior Cultural Award – Sue Clark
Junior Cultural Award – Claudia Lee
Community Event of the Year – Springtime Garden Competition
Bowen
Citizen of the Year – Gary Martin
Young Citizen of the Year – Bowen State High School Senior Student Leadership Team
Senior Citizen of the Year – Christine Coventry
Junior Sportsperson Award – Shaniece Cora
Senior Sportsperson Award – Temone Power
Sports Administrator Award – Darren and Monika Piggott
Senior Cultural Award – Barbara Kwaak
Junior Cultural Award – Hayley Smith
Community Event of the Year – 2020 Don River Dash
Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Proserpine & surrounds
Citizen of the Year – Mark & Sue Connors
Young Citizen of the Year – Aiden Payet
Senior Citizen of the Year – Colleen Byrnes
Senior Sportsperson Award – Christopher Murphy
Junior Sportsperson Award – Kasey Hogan
Sports Administrator Award - Craig & Hanny Spence
Senior Cultural Award – Whitsundays Arts Festival
Junior Cultural Award – Crystal Glisson
Community Event of the Year – Cyclone Ada Memorial
Wally Hinschen Volunteer of the Year Award – Ron Petterson
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For media enquiries, contact: Lisa Maher, Senior Communications Officer
07 4945 0204, 0408 713 243 or Email: communications@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au