Community & Business
2 February, 2022
Commitment recognised
A MAN who has shown his commitment to veterans, military history, military and commemorative events, fundraising, charitable voluntary services, and agriculture research and development is the Tablelands Regional Council’s 2022 Citizen of the Year.
John Hardy OAM has contributed over and above normal employment duties to the Tablelands community for over 40 years, volunteering for many organisations.
His 45 years at the Department of Primary Industry research station contributed significantly to the primary producers of the Atherton Tablelands.
Mr Hardy was among nine award winners at council’s annual Australia Day Awards, presented by Mayor Rod Marti.
“It was a great day to recognise these amazing people and organisations in our community, and remind ourselves why the Tablelands region is such a great place to live, work and play,” he told the audience.
“We celebrate the nominees here today who have demonstrated the qualities of the Aussie spirit we know and love. They have contributed to our community as volunteers and enriched our lives with their involvement and successes in sports, arts, industry and innovation.”
After winning the award, Mr Hardy said he was honoured by the accolade and took the time during his acceptance speech to urge others in the community to nominate worthy people for awards.
“There are people out there doing great things and we should remember to nominate them for awards like this. Someone put my name forward for an OAM and I would urge others to do the same because it’s a great way to recognise their efforts.”
Taking out the Young Citizen of the Year was Tahnee Dilger who was described as an “outstanding example of selfless commitment to the service of others and a wonderful role model for people of all ages”.
Nicole was understandably thrilled to win the award, saying she saw it as an acknowledgment of her hard work over the years.
“It was good to know the community values the work you do and it encourages you to keep doing those types of things,” she said.
“I hope it encourages others to do the same and that by winning this award, I am a role model for other young people.”
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR John Hardy OAM
John Hardy is one of those community members who make a real difference, and his contributions span across more than four decades.
He has been very active in the community through membership and support of numerous veteran and community organisations including the Great Wheelbarrow Race, Tolga Lions Club, Atherton Maize Festival, the Rocky Creek War Memorial Park, and the Afghanistan Avenue of Honour.
Mr Hardy has a passion for military history, serving on the state management committee of the National Servicemen's Association of Australia (Qld), editing the group’s newsletter, and is a member of the Tablelands branch.
He is also documenting all memorials throughout the State that honour national servicemen, almost 50 so far.
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Tahnee Dilger
Tahnee is a serving member of the Tinaroo Rural Fire Brigade, assisting with hazard reduction burns across the Atherton Tablelands and cooking, serving and cleaning for the annual Christmas Toy Run. Tahnee has been a member of the Tablelands Brass Band since 2020, performing at a variety of community events. She is an outstanding asset to any cause she lends her support to. Tahnee will certainly pursue a life-path that will positively impact others.
COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR Calendar Girls (Malanda Theatre Company)
Malanda Theatre Company’s (MTC) rendition of Calendar Girls played to over 1400 people and culminated in a calendar featuring photos of the cast and crew that raised money for the Atherton Friends of the FNQ Hospital Foundation. Sales of the calendars are expected to make more than $8000.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD John Compton
John has spent countless hours as the coordinator of the Yungaburra Lions Medical Equipment Loan Project, which loans medical equipment to the community. John transports, delivers, sanitises and maintains the equipment and does it all with a smile. His work is very time consuming but John never complains and believes it is an important services the community needs.
CULTURAL AWARD Jaelene Durrand and Graham Harrington
Jaelene Durrand (pictured right) is an amazing and award-winning teacher and artist who gives up her own time and money to help others. She runs a free youth art club that is a safe place for youth to socialise and celebrate art. Her murals discourage graffiti, promote youth engagement and reduce bullying and self-harm..
Graham Harrington (pictured left) has been involved in theatre productions on the Tablelands as an actor, writer and director for 30 years. He has been involved in 40 shows and FNQ One Act Play Festivals and was the driving force behind the extension of the Malanda Theatre Company (MTC) building. Graham also volunteers as a leader with the Malanda Youth Theatre.
JUNIOR CULTURAL AWARD Aladdin (Malanda Youth Theatre)
Forty-four young people aged 9–17 and 30 backstage adults rehearsed twice a week for five months before Aladdin hit the stage in June. The Malanda Youth Theatre production played to 1300 people in sold out shows, including two special daytime performances for primary schools. The children and adults put in a mammoth effort and worked together each week to bring a top quality show to the community and indulge their love of live performance. The children gained experience in public speaking and stage presence, and increased their confidence. They also learnt the importance of volunteering.
INCLUSION AWARD Tableland Community Link
Tableland Community Link (TCL) has supported people with disabilities and mental illness for 27 years and are constantly looking at ways to be more inclusive. They run an activity centre called “The Grove” where clients are involved in activities and fundraising including raffles, trivia nights, sausage sizzles, movie nights, cake stalls and containers for change. They create opportunities for people with disability to be involved in their community including horse-riding, lawn bowls, tenpin bowling, bingo, Zumba, walking hockey and a colour run/roll-a-thon.
JUNIOR SPORTS AWARD Emily Mills
Emily trains at gymnastics for more than 17 hours a week, coaches at the gym, competes in and tutors school volleyball and is a straight A student. Emily is the women’s artistic gymnastics Level 9 Queensland vault champion; a Queensland Border Challenge team member and reserve for the Queensland Team to attend the national titles; and placed first in vault, second in floor and bars, and third on beam at the Border Challenge Championships.
SPORTS SUPPORTER AWARD Carrie de Brueys
Carrie has a long history of involvement with the Atherton Tableland Hockey Association including coaching, refereeing, captain, administration, cleaning and other volunteer roles. Her most outstanding contribution is her volunteer work on Saturdays, supporting, coaching and organising people with physical and mental challenges and their supporters/ carers to participate in the local walking hockey competition.
