Australia Day in the Central Highlands

Using her experience from attending cattle judging since the age of five, Kirra-Lee has shown immense confidence and kindness while helping to raise funds to help Anakie State School students in years five and six attend a school trip to Canberra this year.

As the only student to spend all six weekends attending the sausage sizzle, Kirra-Lee acted as a role model for other children, helping to show them the ropes and boost their confidence within the community. She truly is a team player!

Going from the classroom to zoom, Emerald Gymnastics and Trampoline Club head coach, Sue Fehlhaber, excelled at keeping her students active and engaged while maintaining COVID-19 precautions.

In general, Sue is a role model within the Gymnastics and Trampoline community, teaching all ages and helping to guide the clubs six younger coaches.

At only 15 years old, Logan Weaver has represented the Central Highlands at both state and national level.

He currently holds nine Queensland state weightlifting records and two Australian national weightlifting records. For the last three years, Logan has taken out Queensland Under 15 and Junior State Weightlifting Championship.

During the COVID-19 pandemic artist, educator, community development professional and mindfulness trainer Dr Daliri took to the streets with his giant Kookaburra to bring laughter and joy to people everywhere. 

The catalyst for the event was Kim Tompson.

The Kookaburra visited 12 towns and 17 venues during Mental Health Week in 2020.

James Raschle is the driving force behind local initiative ‘Festival of Bands’, where professional musicians travel to perform and workshop with student bands from across the Central Highlands.

While working as a music teacher at Marist College Emerald, James has not only supported his student’s music endeavours but has allowed students in smaller schools, such as Springsure State School, an opportunity to be a part of a band.

Jordan consistently gives to the Blackwater State High school community by attending all events and is always willing to help set up, pack up and do anything in between. During the Year 6 transition days, Jordan volunteered to help out in the year 6 classes to ensure they have a smooth transition to high school. She came early to school and talked with the students, bringing them over to breakky club and making them feel welcome. Jordan did all of this off her own initiative, without being asked by staff to do so. Jordan is a talented sportswoman and represents the school well through interschool events. She has also helped out at other school events such as the family fun science night and has represented the school internationally at space camp.

Annette has worked hard to bring netball to the Blackwater community and in 2020 it was the first time in 16 years that Blackwater took an under 13 team to the Nissan State Age Titles in Brisbane. Annette assisted with coaching and management of the team. Annette is a great role model for the young up and comers, always making herself available to host the net set go programs for the younger community. Knowing that netball means a lot to the community, Annette has worked tirelessly to ensure that netball continued through court upgrades and covid challenges

On the 7 November Blackwater Netball Association held it’s first netball carnival since 1977. After the court upgrades, the netball committee decided it would be a great opportunity to showcase Blackwater netball. The event was a huge success with 32 teams attending the one day carnival. Teams travelled from Yeppoon, Rockhampton, Emerald, Middlemount and Biloela. Congratulations Blackwater Netball Association, we look forward to seeing you in action in 2021.

The Blackwater Art Society is a community visual arts group that meets their art hall at 6 Evans Street every Tuesday. It is the hub of like-minded people who have an appreciation for the visual arts and like to share their passion for all things art-related. It provides a space to learn, with many members sharing their knowledge regularly as well as providing the opportunity for formal instruction in the many artist mediums through tutorial workshops held several times per year. The Blackwater Art society is a very progressive community group with great momentum within the community for being involved in many things. They recently celebrated their 50th year anniversary with a major function to celebrate this milestone event. A grand opening night was held recently to celebrate the new artist space in Evans Street.

Emielia is a much loved and respected junior instructor with Peak Downs Karate.

She gives her time freely to teach junior and senior students at Peak Downs Karate.  

Emielia is the first person to put her hand up to help man a stall at the Community Markets or help fundraise for those that need it. 

In 2020 whilst COVID took many opportunities away from the community Emielia continued to dig deep and find new opportunities.  

Emielia is a polite, respectful, hardworking young lady who is a fantastic role model to all, not just children but adults as well. 

Rod, or Greeny as he is known is the president of the Capella Cattledogs Rugby Union Club. He is a leader and role model for the other players and member of the club. He gets in there and does what needs to be done both on and off the field. In the true spirit of country rugby, when the team is short of players, he will pull on the shoes so they can still field a team.  

Behind the scenes, Greeny is also the person that organises the catering and drinks for training and games and lends a hand when needed. 

Whether it be for training or a game, he is the first person there, and always the last to leave. He is a great mentor for the younger players of the club, leads by example on how to act as a team player and member of the Capella Cattledogs. 

Mollie is a young lady who has achieved amazing results in her chosen sport of Netball. Mollie has been playing netball for 7 years starting when she was in year 4. 

Mollie’s hard work and determination has paid off by being selected in the 2021 17/U Qld squad. To make it to this selection she attended the Nissan State Titles as a member of the Capricorn Claws under 16 team and was 1 of 7 Emerald girls selected to join the under 17 Qld Squad. Mollie is a member of the Emerald Netball Association. 

While the competition was shut down due to COVID Mollie never lost sight of her goals and took the time to train harder and develop her skills, so she was ready to play when shut down was lifted. 

Mollie always tries her best in all things sport related. She is very supportive of her competition and peers, always cheering on the side or waiting at the finish line to support and encourage. 

Her commitment to her sport is inspiring and she is a role model to up and comping players. 

The Eco Club commenced at the beginning of the 2020 school year through the guidance of Ms Kate Legge and Ms Carla Langtry along with the Capella State School Students to teach students to Re-use, Reduce and Recycle. 

The students separate food scraps in bins, which is then used in the worm farm, popper and drink containers are recycled through ‘Containers for Change’, and they grow succulents and vegies. 

The students have been attending the Capella Markets to sell their plants and produce along with worm juice, castings and shredded paper. 

All funds raised at the markets is reinvested into new tools or to fund new projects within the school community. 

Harvey has had an interest in music for a number of years. Harvey won a position to attend an emerging musicians’ conference run by Arts Qld with his songwriting and performing excellence. At this event, he was mentored by musicians, wrote and performed some original pieces. 

Harvey would spend his breaks at school working with students to develop their skills. He has been an inspiration and mentor for younger students, growing their participation in the music program. He is modest about his talent, but he spreads a sense that the arts are worthwhile with his energy, enthusiasm, and hard work. 

Harvey won the inaugural music award at Capella State High School in 2019 and Dux of the school in 2020 proving that Music and academic success are often linked. 

Harvey volunteers to perform at community events, he is incredibly generous with his talent and time. When I approached him to perform today he was keen and honoured to assist. 

 Belle has been nominated for her extraordinary work raising funds for childhood cancer research. In 2020, she was the recipient of the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation Silver Award in recognition of the support towards the foundation’s vision.  Belle is now recognised as an ambassador, helping kids fulfil their right to a healthy life.

You will find Belle at every market day, street stalls if she’s allowed, and social events selling tickets for countless Jelly Bean jar raffles and more.

Belle prepares all the prizes, wraps and presents them, organises tickets and change, either from donations or pocket money.

She is an inspirational role model, donating the full proceeds of her fundraising efforts to the Springsure Lions Club who forward it to the ALCCRF.

Geoff and Suzie Pederson have shown continued commitment to the administration of the Rolleston Tennis Club.

Their work helped to create a strong committee while keeping fixture nights and final days running smoothly.

Rolleston State School students are able to utilise the courts free of charge, giving the s

Kyle achieved amazing success in the pool during the Springsure Stingers Swimming Club’s 2019/20 season.

He competed at the Queensland Sprint Championships where he not only made the final but placed 8th in the State for 14 years of age and 50-metre fly.

Kyle is the first swimmer from Springsure to make a final in more than 25 years. For the season, he accumulated 38 gold medals, resulting in six age champion trophies.

Out of the pool, he’s a great role model for younger swimmers and always willing to help through encouragement or assistance.

The Combined Christmas Eve Mardi Gras got the entire community together for a night of celebrating the festive season. It was a time for social connection, where many locals felt the effects of drought.

The event held in 2019 was organised and funded by the Ivy Anderson Home, Springsure Lions Club and council and attended by 400 people.

The Eclipse Street Emporium Group of local craft people make a significant contribution to the region showcasing and selling home-made items to locals and tourists.

The group also promotes arts and crafts to all ages. Throughout drought times in 2019 and COVID-19 in 2020, this group has defied all odds, providing workshops for everyone from children to elderly.

The workshops were a source of inspiration and calm during challenging times. Members of the group contribute countless hours to open the shop, organise workshops and share their knowledge in arts and crafts.

Open with the important information

Start with a clear and specific statement that outlines why your nominee is worthy of the award. Ask yourself:

What activities or actions has the nominee undertaken to stand out? What has the nominee accomplished that goes above and beyond their job description? What special skills or talents have they employed? How has the nominee changed their community? Why are you motivated to nominate this person?

Consider your audience

The people on the judging panel come from all walks of life. Imagine you are talking to an intelligent, engaged audience without specific expertise in your field. Spell out acronyms the first time you use them and avoid using jargon, overly scientific language or terms that may not be familiar to people outside your industry.

Share their story

Strengthen your nomination by painting a picture of the person. What motivates them to make a difference? What personal challenges have they overcome in their life? Why do they inspire others? How does this person make you feel?

Don’t just say it, prove it

Use real-world examples that demonstrate what you’re saying is true. Whether your nominee was the first one to lend a hand at the local football club or the person staying back late each night at the lab, we want the stories of their life and the impact they have made.

Tell the facts

Support your nomination with hard facts and reliable statistics. Can you provide specific measures of this person’s success?

Aim for quality, not quantity

A long nomination isn’t always a better nomination. Try to keep your sentences short and concise and avoid repetition. Steer clear of detailed job descriptions and work histories or providing multiple referee statements that don’t offer new information.

Stick to selection criteria

The panel is looking for people who make a significant contribution to the community, who are a role model for people in their community and demonstrate excellence in their field, so ensure your nomination addresses these criteria.
For the Community Event of the Year award, the panel is looking for an event that makes a significant contribution to develop the regional economy and social and cultural life.

Selection criteria and how to prepare a nomination

When completing the nomination form, it is important to address selection criteria.

1. Significant contribution – Give evidence that the nominee/ event has made a significant contribution to their community.
2. Inspirational role model – Give evidence that the nominee has outstanding personal attributes and is an inspirational role model for their community.
3. Demonstrated excellence in their field
   1. Provide specific examples of how the nominee has gone above and beyond what could be reasonably expected of someone in a similar situation.
   2. Include a list of appointments/ positions/ academic or sport or other achievements and memberships.
4. Community Event of the Year nominations only: Contribution to development of regional economy and social and cultural life. – Provide data to substantiate the claims of economic, social and cultural contribution. This might include participant numbers, organisations involved, and revenue generated.

The judging panel will also give consideration to the following in assessing and comparing nominations against the above criteria:

1. Personal, academic and professional achievements.
2. Contribution in the relevant field – how has the nominee ‘put back’ into their field to benefit others.
3. Demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity.
4. Personal interests and community involvement.
5. Contribution to development of regional community and or/ economy.
6. Degree of difficulty of the achievements and sacrifices made.
7. Future goals and likely impact.
8. Previous awards and recognitions.
9. Voluntary work beyond paid employment.
10. Nature and length of activity or service.
11. Achievements as an individual or as part of a group or organisation.

Eligibility criteria

1. Nominees must be an Australian Citizen and reside within the local government boundary of Central Highlands Regional Council. Community events must be held within the local government boundary of Central Highlands Regional Council.
2. Previous award recipients must not have won the same award category more than once in three consecutive years.
3. Nominees must be within the accepted age range of the award.

An individual can be nominated in more than one category, but a separate form must be completed.

How are nominations assessed?

The Australia Day Awards judging panel assesses the nominations based on the selection criteria. The panel consists of councillors, council representatives and community members reflecting each of the award areas. Read more in the Australia Day Awards Judging Panel Terms of Reference.

Are nominations confidential?

All nominations are confidential, and the information will be used only to assist council to consider the merit of the nominations.

Previous award recipients may be approached by council to share their experience for the purpose of promoting future Australia Day Award campaigns.

When are nominations considered?

Nominations for the Australia Day Awards are open between 1 August and 31 October in the year before the awards. All award nominees will be notified via contact details provided on the nomination form and receive an invitation to attend the award presentation on 26 January. A list of nominees may be published before the 26 January.

A link to the nomination form will become available here.