2024 BALONNE AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS
Following a record 32 nominations, Council has announced the recipients of the Balonne Australia Day Awards across nine categories in St George this morning.
The Balonne Australia Day Awards showcase and recognize our local citizens and groups who have made outstanding contributions to their community.
This Australia Day brought the Shire together with a Community Breakfast, Acknowledgement of Country, Award Ceremony, Citizenship Ceremony and concluded with a Morning Tea.
The nominations were spread across a broad range of backgrounds and categories in sports, the arts and community advocacy, but the one thing they all had in common is their unparalleled ability to make a difference to our community as strong leaders.
Balonne’s Australia Day Ambassador and renowned author, media presenter and food industry expert Alison Alexander OAM presented the awards to recipients on the banks of the serene Balonne River.
Balonne Shire Mayor Samantha O’Toole was delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 Balonne Australia Day Awards.
“This Australia Day is especially exciting for our Shire, as we received a record number of nominations for the 2024 Balonne Australia Day Awards,” Mayor O’Toole said.
“I would like to congratulate everyone that was nominated for this year’s Australia Day Awards and thank you all for everything you do for our local community.
“We are so fortunate to have such a strong community in Balonne and we should do everything we can to celebrate the outstanding community-minded efforts of our award recipients and nominees.
“We are also very fortunate to have renowned author, media presenter and food industry expert Alison Alexander OAM to present the awards this Australia Day.”
The Balonne Australia Day Award recipients are:
- Citizen of the Year Award – Mark Bartlem
- Young Citizen of the Year Award – Phoebe Olive
- Volunteer of the Year Award – Jacque Hemming
- Cultural Award – Nia Hadenfeldt
- Senior Sports Award – Tom Perkins
- Junior Sports Award – Rhyder Hooper
- Sports Administrator Award – Justin Schultz
- Community Event of the Year Award – Thallon Pub Choir
- Community Group of the Year Award – Hebel Rodeo Association Inc.
¬ENDS
BALONNE AUSTRALIA DAY AMBASSADOR - ALISON ALEXANDER OAM
Alison Alexander OAM is a Brisbane-based food consultant, the inaugural Queensland Food Fellow and Food Ambassador for the Scenic Rim Regional area. She was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2020 Australia Day Order of Australia Awards and in 2013, was awarded the Citibank Professional Excellence Award to honour her major contribution to the restaurant industry.
Alison is renowned for her food knowledge, her celebration of Queensland producers for more than 40 years and is held in high regard by local industry. Alison has been a guest presenter on ABC Radio for 25 years and has written for numerous publications. She regularly leads food tours within Queensland and interstate to encourage awareness of regional produce and appears as a guest chef, cookery teacher and speaker at events. She is often asked to judge food competitions and has been a Chief Judge for the Royal Queensland Show Preserves section.
While in the Shire, Alison will visit St George, Nindigully, Bollon, and complete a local farm tour.
DETAILS OF THE BALONNE AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD RECIPIENTS ARE OUTLINED BELOW:
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR - Mark Bartlem
For almost 20 years, Mark has been active member of many community organisations within the Balonne Shire and has been a champion of community safety and our emergency services, particularly through his work with QFES.
Mark currently wears many hats in the Balonne Shire, he is a member of the Balonne Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) & the Roma District Disaster Management Group (DDMG), Captain of the St George Fire and Rescue Station (QFES), Senior Water Officer and manager of the St George Water services office, and had a 7 year long tenure as the St George State School P&C President.
As Captain of the St George Fire and Rescue Station, he has been leading the St George Crew for almost 10 years and responding to numerous incidents in our Shire. He actively promotes community safety and demonstrates to the community how to be prepared for storm, fire, flood and cyclone events.
Mark is an extremely positive role model in all aspects of his life. He has a great sense of community spirit and working as a public servant and in the QFES demonstrates that everything he does is to better the community and its members. His deep understanding of water in the region and disaster management is of invaluable benefit to the community.
He is greatly respected and held with very high regard in the Shire.
Mark has received multiple awards for his work both with QFES and the Department for the management of water.
He received the National Medal and 1st Clasp for recognition of his 25 years long and diligent service in the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, for risking his life and safety to protect or assist the community in times of emergencies.
Mark continues to stand up for his community and show proactive leadership and dedication to ensure the Balonne Shire not only stays alive, but thrives.
Congratulations Mark, your award is incredibly well-deserved!
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR - Phoebe Olive
Phoebe is a School Captain at St George State School and her commitment to supporting her peers and her community is admirable.
Phoebe has participated in every school activity and event throughout the year, and also volunteers her time throughout the week.
She is a member of the School Band and School Choir, and a shining star across many extracurricular activities including age champion at the swimming carnival, cluster finalist in the Public Speaking competition and a soloist at the recent Summer Smash Concert.
Phoebe has a consistently positive attitude, is always willing to help and her cheerfulness is infectious.
Phoebe has demonstrated leadership as the School Captain, and is a positive role model to all students. Phoebe has been named as the School Dux and has earned several other awards for scholarship, leadership and sport this school year, recognising her positive contribution to the culture of her school.
Phoebe is a very compassionate and civic-minded young person who we are certain is heading to great things in her future. Congratulations Phoebe!
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Jacque Hemming
Jacque is heavily involved in a wide range of community groups and organisations, volunteering her time, skills, ideas and efforts to make significant improvements to both Dirranbandi and across our Shire. She is extremely passionate about the people who reside in our district and advocating for their needs.
Her dedication to the running of the Dirranbandi Community Hub Facebook page significantly benefits community members and tourists to the Balonne Shire on a daily basis. The posting of information about a range of topics from advertising upcoming community events, promoting local businesses, weather reports, medical services, crime reports and more is invaluable.
Jacque’s volunteer involvement is extensive, including:
• Dirranbandi Progress Association
• Dirranbandi Rural Transaction Centre
• Dirranbandi Rural Fire Service
• Dirranbandi Hospital Auxiliary
• Dirranbandi Show Committee
Jacque's passion for our Shire is obvious and her contribution is appreciated. Congratulations Jacque!
COMMUNITY GROUP OF THE YEAR - Hebel Rodeo Association Inc
The Hebel Rodeo Association Inc has run 3 successful and innovative events for 2023. Two of the events were a first for the area.
The association held the Campdraft and Hebel’s first Working Dog School in April. The event was a success on all fronts with achieving maximum participation and positive feedback for more events.
Hebel Rodeo Association Inc also held the first annual Horse and Motorbike Gymkhana. These events drew a crowd of new people to the town and boosted community spirit, with new members joining the committee from these outstanding events.
Hebel Rodeo Association Inc has really hit the ground running in 2023, and we cannot wait to see what they have in store for 2024. Congratulations team, you are a credit to our Shire!
COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR - Thallon Pub Choir
Thallon Pub Choir was a one-of-a-kind musical event in our Shire. The event organised by Thallon Progress Association was a magical night, highlighting so many beautiful aspects of Thallon, it’s residents and our Shire.
The event brought the Shire together in numerous ways, including a destructive whirly wind testing our communities quick thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Pub Choir’s Astrid Jorgenson chimed in that “It was an absolute delight working with you… I know Pub Choir is a bit of a whacky thing to organise and I thought it was so cool how you dived in and just got everything done. Whirly winds and all!”
The success of Pub Choir Thallon speaks volumes about Thallon Progress Association’s ability to organise and deliver a successful event that not only engaged and satisfied both the audience and performers, but also shone a powerful spotlight on the region.
Congratulations on such a successful event!
CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - Nia Hadenfeldt
Nia is a passionate music teacher travelling across the schools in the Balonne Shire, going above and beyond for her students.
Nia’s beautiful performances, both solo and with her students, have become increasingly popular at local events. Nia also volunteers her talent at numerous St George QCWA Markets, highlighting her passion for art and culture in our Shire.
This year, Nia has also reintroduced dance classes in St George, bringing benefits to the arts community.
Nia continually shows vision, leadership, innovation and creativity through her contributions to the Arts. Well done Nia!
SPORTS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR - Justin Schultz
Justin has been a pillar of the sporting community in our Shire from many years and continues to support our sporting culture in many ways.
Justin’s volunteer experience includes:
• Darling Downs and South West Cricket
• St George Cricket
• St George Junior Soccer, where he is the current President
Justin's attitude to helping others, especially our young people, is infectious. When others see him in action and interact with him, there is no doubt that they feel inspired.
Enthusiasm and energy are outstanding personal qualities that Justin possesses and that is evidenced by the multiple roles he has fulfilled throughout the various sporting groups.
Justin’s contribution to the sporting community of St George is immeasurable, and we are sure will continue long into the future. Congratulations Justin!
SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR - Tom Perkins
Tom Perkins has achieved a highly successful year of sport in 2023, specifically the widely recognised success of the Dirranbandi Polocrosse Carnival.
Tom is the dedicated Dirranbandi Polocrosse Club President and continues to play whilst undertaking numerous other responsibilities within the Club.
Tom values his community through honouring club traditions and club spirit, ensuring all achievements are celebrated.
Tom was named QLD Polocrosse Club Person of the Year in 2023 and steered Dirranbandi Polocrosse’s Carnival to become QLD Polocrosse Carnival of the Year in 2022 and the runner-up in 2021.
Congratulations Tom, you are well-deserving of this award!
JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR - Rhyder Hooper
Rhyder is an all-rounder especially when it comes to sport. Ryder shows great sportsmanship and is always seen to be encouraging those around him.
This year Rhyder has represented St George State High School for soccer, touch football, basketball, netball and rugby league. He also represents St George Netball, St George Junior Rugby League and volunteers as a ball boy for the St George Senior Rugby League.
This year Rhyder represented St George Junior Rugby League at:
• Balonne Barwon for zone 5/ u43kgs, where he received best back at the carnival.
• The Darren Lockyer Shield Tournament where he received 6 Man of the Match awards.
• Roma and District Junior Rugby League gala day
• Broncos 9’s under 14’s carnival, receiving the Toughest Player award.
• Queensland Murrie Carnival - Rugby League Under 12’s
Rhyder is a very talented athlete, and we look forward to seeing his future achievements. Congratulations Rhyder!