Community & Business
23 January, 2026
Recognition for community’s best
CITIZENS from the Mareeba Shire and Tablelands Regional councils have been nominated for the 2026 Australia Day awards.
Tablelands Regional Council
FORTY-two community members and organisations have been nominated across eight categories for Tablelands Regional Council’s Australia Day Awards.
The ceremony, to be held in Atherton on Monday, will also include the State Emergency Service Awards which has received six nominations.
“It’s fantastic to see these exceptional people and groups being recognised,” Mayor Rod Marti said.
“We have such a great community and that doesn’t happen without the contribution of people like those who have been nominated.
“The winners will be announced at a ceremony on Australia Day at the Atherton International Club – doors open at 10am for a 10.30am start.”
From 9am, the Mayor will be swearing in five new citizens from Germany, New Zealand, the Philippines and Thailand.
People wanting to come along for the Australia Day Awards ceremony will need to register through the TRC website: https://www.trc.qld.gov.au/our-community/awards/australia-day/
The nominations are:
Citizen of the Year
Robert Doyle
Geoff Onus
Renee Matthew
Anj Mittelstadt
Frances Pelgrave
Gwen Price
Amanda Saunders
Kathleen Scully
Young Citizen of the Year
Amelie Cockrem
Jonathan Platz
Bailey Seres
Community Service Award
Mick Carson and Josh Weier
Graham Haren
Colleen James
Gil Jansen
Helen O’Bryan
Ravenshoe and District Meals
on Wheels
Ravenshoe Men’s Shed
Tablelands Dog Obedience Club
Barry and Judith Waugh
Cultural Award
Jaelene Durrand
Eacham Historical Society
Amy Le’Gear
Junior Cultural Award
Atherton Performing Arts – Youth Theatre
Junior Sports Award
Jacob Berry-Porter
Patrick Kidd
Madison Marshall
Indiana Palmer
Samuel Raciti
Ethan Young
Sports Supporter Award
Sabrina Brick
David Prete
Alison Piggott
Robert (Bevan) Purcell
Therese Watson
Community Event of the Year
Atherton Carols by Candlelight
Atherton Maize Festival
Disability Matters Inc. 30th Birthday
Malanda Bullride
Tablelands Folk Festival
The Gem Festival
Tolga Scarecrow Festival
State Emergency Service Awards Nominees
James Gegg – Far Northern Region
Cathy Kent – Atherton SES
Kylie Lang – Atherton SES
Steve Saunders – Atherton SES
Ezra Scherwitzel – Atherton SES
Ruth Zee – Atherton SES
Mareeba Shire Council
RESIDENTS of the Mareeba Shire are invited to celebrate Australia Day on Monday.
The council will host Australia Day ceremonies to welcome eight new Aussie citizens and recognise the incredible contributions of residents with the shire’s Australia Day Awards.
“Everyone is invited to join us on Monday, 26 January 2026, as we welcome Mareeba Shire’s newest Aussie citizens and celebrate the remarkable achievements of our community at the Australia Day Awards ceremony,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.
“I am so proud of the incredible volunteers, organisations, sportspeople and young leaders right across our Shire. It is a wonderful achievement to be nominated for an award, and we look forward to announcing and celebrating the winners.”
The ceremony will start at 10am at the Cedric Davies Community Hub, Anzac Avenue, Mareeba.
The Lions Club of Mareeba will be providing a free sausage sizzle, plus cake, tea, and coffee after the ceremony.
There will also be free face painting and fun activities for the kids.
The nominations are:
Individuals
Alison McLean
Annette Morrison
Crystal Leonardi
Grace Armenti
Peter Shimmin
Raymond Turner
Rita Falvo
Sandy Ryan
Stacey Crockford
Steven Keough
Juniors
Alyssa Camp
Angelina Tulloch
Azariah Mataio
Charlee Croucher
Chloe Mackenzie
Finnlay Ford
Harley Cek
Harry Sullivan
Heiko Wessels
Jillahkull McInnes
Oliver Hampton
Rebecca Quintieri
Rosalie Ginn
Ruth Searle
Toby Fealy
Velenia Musso-Tatti
Zahra Boldero
Organisations
Black Cockatoo Foundation
Bluecare Respite Group
Mareeba Friends of the Hospital Foundation Bingo Volunteers
Mareeba Lions Club
Mareeba Lions Young Leaders
Mareeba Gymnastics Club
Mareeba Rail Trail Parkrun
Speewah Rural Fire Brigade
