Australia Day Awards

Australia Day January 2021 Chinchilla (26).jpg

Council acknowledges that our region is built by amazing people who are deserving of recognition for their efforts.

Every year Council asks the community who they think has made a notable contribution in the form of nominations for our annual Australia Day Awards. These awards are incredibly special as they allow us to shine a light on those who contribute to the community of the Western Downs and help make our region the place we love. 

The Western Downs 2024 Australia Day Awards are now closed, with winners announced at local celebrations across the region.

Australia Day Awards 2024

Citizen of the Year Award

To be awarded to one exceptional nominee (region-wide) who:

  • Has been an inspiration/positive role model for their peers/community/region; 
  • Has shown a significant and outstanding contribution to the community; 
  • Has demonstrated a high level of personal, academic or professional achievement with demonstrated benefits for others; and
  • Shows vision, leadership, innovation or creativity.  

Young Citizen of the Year Award

To be awarded to one exceptional nominee aged 16 to 30 (region-wide) who:

  • Has demonstrated leadership, innovation or creativity
  • Has shown outstanding achievement in their chosen field; e.g. academic, sporting, cultural, environment or civic responsibility; 
  • Is a role model that other young people can aspire to; and
  • Has shown a significant contribution to the community. 

Volunteer of the Year Award

To be awarded to one nominee in each district (Chinchilla, Dalby, Jandowae, Miles, Tara or Wandoan) who:

  • Has made a significant contribution at community level through volunteering; and
  • Has shown a personal effort that has made a lasting and significant difference to the community.  

Community Organisation Achievement Award

To be awarded to one nominee in each district (Chinchilla, Dalby, Jandowae, Miles, Tara or Wandoan) who:

  • Brings or has brought social, cultural and/or economic benefits to individuals, community organisations or the community in general; 
  • Has significant volunteer involvement;  
  • Displays excellence in their field or has been previously awarded or recognised; and 
  • Brings recognition or credit to the community or region.  

Creative Arts Award

To be awarded to one nominee in each district (Chinchilla, Dalby, Jandowae, Miles, Tara or Wandoan) who:

  • Has provided outstanding contributions bringing long or short-term benefits to the arts and/or cultural community; and
  • Shows vision, leadership, innovation or creativity in the arts and/or cultural community.  

Sports Award

To be awarded to one nominee in each district (Chinchilla, Dalby, Jandowae, Miles, Tara or Wandoan) who:

  • Is an outstanding sportsperson with a noteworthy record of achievement in sport; and
  • Is a role model that people can aspire to.  

Click here(PDF, 306KB) to view the full Australia Day Award Guidelines.

Previous Australia Day Award Winners

2023 Award Winners

Regional Citizen of the Year
Beth Wood

Regional Young Citizen of the Year
Matthew Butters

Local Volunteer of the Year 
Chinchilla & District – Cath Brandon
Dalby & District – Gary Carey
Jandowae & District – John Alexander
Miles & District – Shirley Makin
Tara & District – Brent Arnold
Wandoan & District – Chrissy Blackley

Local Creative Arts Award
Chinchilla & District – Terri Keller
Dalby & District – Helen Gleeson
Jandowae & District – Bell Art Group Inc.
Miles & District – Anita Thomson
Tara & District – Jude Salter
Wandoan & District – Wandoan Show Society Inc. Photo Challenge Competition

Local Community Organisation Achievement Award
Chinchilla & District – Lions Club of Chinchilla
Dalby & District – Dalby & District Pony & Hack Club Inc.
Jandowae & District – Jandowae Timbertown Festival Inc.
Miles & District – Miles District Rugby League Club
Tara & District – Tara & District Dirt Riders & The Gums Sports Club
Wandoan & District – Wandoan Arts Council Inc.

Local Sports Award
Chinchilla & District – Joshua Griggs
Dalby & District – Macauley (Mac) Nolan
Jandowae & District – Callum McUtchen
Miles & District – Lindsey Doolan
Tara & District – Alan Bougoure
Wandoan & District – Matthew Walsh

2022 Award Winners

Regional Citizen of the Year
Robyn Haig

Regional Young Citizen of the Year
Lachlan Ries

Local Volunteer of the Year 
Chinchilla & District – Ross Cardillo
Dalby & District – Paige Cartwright
Jandowae & District – Linda Wells
Miles & District – Kerry Mulholland
Tara & District – Brigetta Sternes
Wandoan & District – Robert Williams

 Local Creative Arts Award
Chinchilla & District – Grant Dolbel
Dalby & District – Rachel Redlich
Miles & District – Miles Regional Arts Council Playwriting Development Program
Tara & District – Glenmorgan Arts Group
Wandoan & District – Wandoan Arts Council Inc.

 Local Community Organisation Achievement Award
Chinchilla & District – Chinchilla Community Commerce & Industry Inc.
Miles & District – Miles Back to the Bush Festival
Wandoan & District – Wandoan Camel Races Committee

Local Sports Award
Chinchilla & District – Gabrielle Hicks
Dalby & District – Jessika Bliesner
Miles & District – Amity Salisbury
Tara & District – William Hallinan
Wandoan & District – Paige Miles

2021 Award Winners

Regional Citizen of the Year
Marilyn Bidstrup

Regional Young Citizen of the Year 
Karsten Duvel

Local Volunteer of the Year 
Dalby & District – Cecil Woods
Jandowae & District – Donna Woollett
Miles & District – Edward Gibbons
Tara & District – Linda Steinohrt
Wandoan & District – Dinah Fraser

Local Creative Arts Award
Bell & District – Bell Theatre Group Inc

Local Community Organisation Achievement Award
Jandowae & District – Jandowae Squash Club
Chinchilla & District – Chinchilla Netball Inc
Miles & District – Dogwood Motor Auto Group - Miles Motoring Enthusiast Club (DMAG-MMEC)
Tara & District – Tara Futures Group

Local Sports Award
Chinchilla & District – Breanna Collins
Dalby & District – Mitchell Hemmings
Miles & District – Lachlan Moore
Tara & District – Addison Clay
Wandoan & District - Elli Zillman