Media Release - 2020 Hinchinbrook Shire Australia Day Award Winners

Congratulations to the Hinchinbrook Shire Council Australia Day Award Nominees and Winners for 2020. All nominees and winners have made an outstanding contribution to the community through sports, culture and service.

Please find a list below of Australia Day Award winners for 2020.

Junior Sports Award

Lachlan Buckman – For his achievements in athletics, touch football, soccer, swimming, cross country and rugby league.  Lachlan is the 2019 Ingham State High School Sportsman of the Year and Elite Sportsman of the Year.  He has represented his school and district in Soccer, Swimming, Cross Country and Rugby League and has represented North Queensland in Athletics and Touch football.  In December 2019 Lachlan represented Queensland at the Australian Athletics Championships where he came first in javelin with a throw of 49.55 metres.

Senior Sports Award

Alana Romano – For her achievements in many sports, but particularly Cricket and Rugby League.  Alana was selected in the Queensland Rural Open Women’s Country Cricket team in 2019 and 2020.  In 2019 she Captained the NQ U/18 Women’s Rugby League Team and the North Queensland Squash Team.  Alana was awarded Gilroy Santa Maria Senior Sports Person of the Year and was a finalist in the North Queensland Sportstar Awards in 2019.

Junior Cultural Award

No nominations were received in this category.

Senior Cultural Award

Rita Phillips – For her contributions to the community through volunteering her time as President of the Ingham Arts Festival for almost 30 years.  Rita also coordinates Sing Australia and has done so for the past five years.  She was a music teacher in our district for approximately 40 years and regularly volunteers for Meals on Wheels.

Individual Achievement Award

Judy Reardon – Awarded posthumously for her volunteer involvement as an active member of Relay for Life Committee, Audrey’s Angels and the Halifax Local Ambulance Committee. Judy was also the face of Relay for Life and compare of the Survivors and Carers Afternoon Tea.  Judy herself was a long term sufferer, but her attitude and selfless efforts were an inspiration to all sufferers, carers and volunteers.

Community Event of the Year Award

Ingham Relay for Life – For the Annual Relay for Life fundraising event.   Relay for Life provides and encourages sufferers, survivors, carers, family and friends an avenue to meet people who have been through a similar journey and to assist them to deal with the significant impacts they are experiencing.   The first event was held in 2009 and since that time the event has raised almost $350,000 towards finding a cure for Cancer.

Beryl Prior Memorial – Service to the Community Award

Douglas Barrie – For his contributions to the community through voluntarily restoring and preserving graves and headstones at the Old Ingham Cemetery.  Graves have been damaged or lost after decades of vandalism, neglect and flooding. Douglas restores and documents old headstones and tracks down living relatives.  Douglas is an amateur historian and undertakes this work to preserve the burial place for early settlers and pioneers of the town.  His commitment to the restoration and ongoing improvement of the Old Ingham Cemetery.  Douglas has also published a number of books on the history of our Shire.

Shire Young Citizen Award

Tyler George – For his involvement in Scouts over the past 11 years. He is currently undertaking the role of Youth Helper.  Tyler regularly gives up weekends and holidays to attend youth events to assist and support the younger youth members. He attended the 2018 Queensland Cuboree where he helped run an activity base for the event.  Tyler is regarded as having an overall positive and friendly attitude.

Shire  Citizen Award

Des Rooker – For his volunteer involvement within the community. Des has held the positions of Lions Club District Governor, President, Treasurer and Secretary of his Lions Club.  He is also the coordinator of ‘Christmas Cheer’ which gives thanks to other people who help the community and is a lovely treat for the elderly members of our community.  Des recently had the privilege to be chosen to carry the Olympic flag. Des is an excellent role model who shows respect for family, community and anyone in need.