27 January 2023 - Cassowary Coast Australia Day Award Winners Celebrated

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Published
27th January 2023

Cassowary Coast’s most inspiring individuals have been recognised on Australia Day for their exceptional contribution and outstanding service to the local community.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Mark Nolan acknowledged Australia Day as a moment for our community to reflect, acknowledge and celebrate what it means to be an Australian citizen: our shared values, our national history, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and our commitment to reconciliation.

“The local Australia Day Awards recognise the exceptional contributions, hard work, and determination of individuals making a positive difference to our community and supporting our diversity.

“It’s with great pleasure that I recognise Colin Ritchie as Citizen of the Year. A longtime volunteer across many community groups. Colin has served as a longstanding Queensland RSL Service member for 30 years, served in the Australian Defence Force, is a founding member of the Innisfail Men’s Shed, has generously volunteered his time to assist with maintenance and repairs following four cyclones and continues to assist residents with general maintenance which may be challenging for them to manage due to physical ailments. With many more accolades accomplished, Colin has shown outstanding achievement and leadership while promoting the wellbeing of the wider community.

“I, along with the rest of our community, thank all winners and nominees for their selfless contributions to the region and I would also like to acknowledge and thank all the volunteers within our community.

“I would like to recognise that Australia Day marks a new chapter for the conferees who have taken oath to become some of the country’s newest citizens. Our new citizens will contribute their skills and diversity to our local community and enrich it through their hard work and participation.” said Councillor Nolan.   

Cassowary Coast Australia Day Award Winners

  • Citizen of the Year - Colin Ritchie
  • Young Citizen of the Year – Cameron Anderson
  • Lifetime Contribution – Sheila Lawler
  • Lifetime Contribution – Joseph Marano
  • Lifetime Contribution – Jo-Anne McElhinney
  • Community Event of the Year – Innisfail Game Fishing Club (‘Sam Pagano Innisfail Bill Fishing Memorial Tournament 2022’)
  • Young Sports Person of the Year – Tiara Herbert
  • Young Sports Person of the Year – Braxton D’Urso
  • Sports Person of the Year – Yolanda Jenkins
  • Service to Sport Award – Brigid Darvenizia
  • Cultural Award – Toshandai Fejo
  • Young Cultural Award – Lily Darveniza
  • Sustainable Environment Award – Ian Shankly
  • Achievement Award – Robyn Smith
  • Achievement Award – Zoe Dunne
  • Excellence and Innovation Award – Mark Giffin
  • Excellence and Innovation Award – Mark & Judy Evans
  • Excellence and Innovation Award – Randall Russell

Australia Day Award winner biographies and images from the Ceremony are available on Council’s Your Say website: www.yoursaycassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/Australia-Day