Australia Day Awards

2024 Regional Citizen of the Year - Helen Devlin 

Helen is a familiar face around Wandoan, where she is actively involved in many local community groups. Among her achievements are volunteering as a gymnastics coach, serving on the committee of the Wandoan Housing Association, acting as President of the Wandoan Community Commerce & Industry, and being an active member of the Wandoan RSL Sub-Branch. She was also an integral part of the success of the 2023 Wandoan Christmas Carnival.

Those around her say that Helen has the best interest of Wandoan and surrounds in mind in everything she does, and through her dedication has helped countless members of her local community, both young and old.

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.  

2024 Regional Young Citizen of the Year - Mitchell Sternes

Mitchell has been described as a born leader, always ready to lead by example and encourage those around him to do their best. He was voted the 2023 Dalby State High School Captain, and was actively involved in a wide range of extra-curricular activities during his time there, including being an avid sportsman, a member of the Instrumental Program, a lead role in the school's production of High School Musical 2: The Musical, and the Kokoda Challenge. He's also a keen participant in community organisations such as Eisteddfod and the Western Downs Winds.

He has a talent for motivating his teammates, working hard, and bringing energy and passion to every activity he pursues. 

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. 

2024 Local Volunteer of the Year Award Winners

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.  

Chinchilla & Region - Noel Deacon

Dalby & Region - Leith Tebbit

Miles & Region - Yvonne McMahon

Tara & Region - Judith Bridge

Wandoan & Region - Tessa Ives

2024 Local Community Organisation Achievement Award Winners

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.  

Chinchilla & Region - Chinchilla Touch Association Inc.

Dalby & Region - Dalby Filipino-Australian Community Association

Jandowae & Region - Bell Race Club

Wandoan & Region - Wandoan Community Commerce & Industry

2024 Local Creative Arts Award Winners

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.  

Chinchilla & Region

Miles & Region

2024 Local Sports Award Winners

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. 

Chinchilla & Region

Dalby & Region

Jandowae & Region

Miles & Region

Tara & Region

Wandoan & Region

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

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

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