Media Release - 2024 Hinchinbrook Shire Australia Day Award Winners Announced

Hinchinbrook Shire’s Australia Day Award presentations were held tonight, Friday 9 February 2024 following the postponement of the 26 January 2024 Australia Day event due to the threat of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily. 

Congratulations to our 2024 Australia Day Award winners as follows -

Junior Sports Award

Jess Furber – Nominated for her sporting achievements in a range of sports. Jess represented Herbert River for gymnastics, netball, rugby league, athletics and touch football in 2023. Jess received a qualifying score and attended the 2023 Gymnastics QLD WAG (Womens Artistic Gymnastics) Senior State Championships where she placed top 10 in vault. She was selected for the 2023 Gilroy Santa Maria QISSN Netball team and the North QLD Netball Association Merit Team. Jess regularly assists with coaching and mentoring younger athletes.

Senior Sports Award

Lachlan Erba – Nominated for his achievements in many sports. Lachlan was selected to represent North QLD Schools in squash, rugby league, touch football and rugby union and is a talented all rounder in these sports.  He was selected in the QLD schoolboys squash team to compete at the Trans-Tasman Tri series in Sydney.  Lachlan was then selected in the combined NSW and QLD team to play against New Zealand. Lachlan is an active member of the Herbert River Rugby League Crushers playing both Under 18 and A Grade teams. He was also selected in the Under 19 Townsville and Districts Blackhawks Rugby League Team.

Junior Cultural Award

No nominations were received for this category.

Senior Cultural Award

Vera Di Bella – Nominated for her contributions by promoting the arts in our community and fostering a love of music in the young.  Vera generously gives her time and talent to various events, such as Maraka concerts, Senior’s morning teas, Ingham Theatre Group and Carols in the Park to name a few. She also trains childrens’ choirs and musicians from Abergowrie College.

Individual Achievement Award

Robyn Fascetti – Nominated for her contributions to the community through her tireless efforts in volunteering in all aspects of the Ingham Football Club to ensure there is a future for the club.  Robyn generously volunteers her time to attend committee meetings, canteen duty cleaning amenities, mowing and marking the grounds and coordinating six-a-side soccer.  The work that goes on behind the scenes in these small clubs often goes unnoticed.  Robyn was awarded Ingham Football Club - Club Person of the Year in recognition of her tireless efforts.

Community Event of the Year Award

No nominations were received for this category.

Beryl Prior Memorial – Service to the Community Award

Juliene Collins – Nominated for her contributions to the community through her active volunteer fundraising commitments to various charities over many years.  Juliene assists her daughter in coordinating and raising funds for Palliative Care.  She also coordinates fundraisers for work charities such as Red Kite.  Juliene is selfless and willingly gives her own time towards many fundraising events.

Shire Young Citizen Award

Jake Goldring – Nominated for his contributions to the community as a local snake catcher and relocator, turtle and wildlife rescuer. He always makes himself available to anyone who needs assistance in his community.  Jake was nominated for the North QLD Youth Volunteer Award in 2023 and out of 875 nominations, he was in the final three.

Shire Citizen Award

Felix John Reitano – Nominated for his contributions to the community through involvement with various community organisations such as past President, Vice President and member of Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Industry and past President of the Rotary Club of Herbert River. Felix is a past Commanding Officer of Ingham’s 31^st Army Reserve Battalion – Captain (retired) and has been Battalion Committee Chair for approximately 25 years. He is a founding member of the Texas Terror Memorial Committee and has been a Justice of the Peace for approximately 47 years. 

Image: 2024 Hinchinbrook Shire Australia Day Awards Recipients.