Australia Day
Celebrate what’s great in Flinders!
The Flinders Shire Australia Day Awards are an opportunity to celebrate individuals, community groups and events and their valuable contributions to our community.
We are looking for nominees whose contribution, whether big or small, positively impacts our community. If there is someone who inspires you and makes a difference in your life in the Flinders community, we want to hear from you! Nominations are open for the community from Thursday, 1 October 2026 until Monday 7 December 2026.
Take the opportunity to celebrate and recognise those who make a difference in your community!
Awards will be announced at our Australia Day 2027 Breakfast; keep up to date with event details on our Facebook page.
To nominate, select the category below:
Categories
Junior Citizen of the Year
Service to the community through civic participation, sports excellence, or other noteworthy contributions. Nominee must be 18 years or younger as of the 26 January 2027.
Citizen of the Year
Service to the community through civic participation, sports excellence, or other noteworthy contributions. Nominee must be 19 years or older as of the 26 January 2027.
Senior Sports Person of the Year
Show a high contribution to sport as a coach, refereeing, administration, volunteering or through sports achievement at local, regional, state, national, and international sporting events. Nominees who have only achieved highly at local levels are encouraged to nominate. (Regional, State and National achievements are not mandatory). Nominee must be 19 years or older on the 26 January 2027.
Junior Sports Person of the Year
Show a high contribution to sport as a coach, refereeing, administration, volunteering or through sports achievement at local, regional, state, national, and international sporting events. Nominees who have only achieved highly at local levels are encouraged to nominate. (Regional, State and National achievements are not mandatory). Nominee must be 18 years or younger on the 26 January 2027.
Community Event of the Year
The event must be run by a committee based within the Flinders Shire. The event must be held within the Flinders Shire. The event must be open to all Flinders Shire Residents.
Local Hero of the Year
This award is presented to an individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty of help the community. This might be in a voluntary capacity or exceeding the normal requirements of a person’s paid work during 2026.
Southern Gulf NRM Sarus Crane Award
The nominee can be any individual or group who either lives or operates in the Flinders Shire region and who has been active in Natural Resource Management (NRM) within the preceding 12 months of the awards.
- Presented to a person or group who has made a significant contribution to sustainable natural resource management or the environment.
Past Recipients
2026 Australia Day Awards
- Citizen of the Year – Kayleigh McIntosh: Recognised for her exceptional commitment as a community volunteer across numerous local clubs and organisations, including the Hughenden Railway Social Club, Lions Club, Gymnastics and the Pistol Club. Kayleigh’s leadership, reliability and compassion embody true community spirit.
- Junior Citizen of the Year – Lake McDonald: A dedicated young leader who has made a significant impact through his roles as Hughenden State School Captain and Student Council President, strengthening school-community connections and representing youth at civic events.
- Community Event of the Year – Hughenden Country Music Talent Festival: Now in its 33rd year, the Festival continues to support young artists, attract visitors from across Queensland and interstate, and reinvest all funds into future events through the dedication of local volunteers.
- Senior Sports Award – Renee Wearing: A long-standing competitor on the Show Circuit, Renee achieved multiple titles in 2025 including Champion Rider, Champion Hack and several Supreme Exhibits, while proudly representing the region across Queensland.
- Junior Sports Achievement Award – Dusty Brummell: An accomplished young athlete with standout achievements across rugby league, touch football and athletics, including selection for the Queensland State Rugby League Championships and a Man of the Match performance.
- Local Hero Awards:
- Sarah Lamshed, for her extraordinary compassion and willingness to support a community member in genuine need.
- Torrens Creek Rural Fire Brigade, for their courageous and coordinated response to a fire emergency that threatened the Torrens Creek township.
- Bronwyn Ballin, for her professionalism and resilience in managing a multi-casualty crash in a remote location with limited resources.
- Mateo Cave, whose calm thinking and bravery at just three and a half years old helped save his father’s life during a family emergency.
2025 Australia Day Awards