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Click here to find out moreCongratulations to the Hinchinbrook Shire Australia Day Award Nominees for 2024 who have made an outstanding contribution to the community, and for their exceptional achievement in a variety of areas.
Junior Sports Award
Liam Fascetti – Nominated for his sporting achievements, particularly in squash. Liam was selected as the number one player in the QLD Under 15 boys team after being crowned State Under 15 champion at Secondary Schools State titles. He was the Under 15 Northern Region Redbacks Champion for club squash as well as being selected as number four to play New Zealand in the Australian Trans-Tasman Team. Liam has represented North QLD and QLD in both school and club squash and received the QLD Sharks Achievement Award for winning seven out of nine of his games at the Australian Championships. Liam is currently ranked number one in North QLD and QLD, and number nine in Australia.
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.
Ally Rhodes – Nominated for her sporting achievements in squash. Ally was number one seeded player for North QLD Schoolgirls Squash Team. She was selected for the QLD schoolgirls open team to play in the Trans-Tasman Series against NSW and NZ. Ally was then selected in the combined NSW and QLD team to play New Zealand. Ally completed a level one coaching certificate and dedicates her time in helping to coach and mentor juniors and beginner players each week.
Brax Roveda – Nominated for his achievements in soccer and futsal. Brax represented Our Lady of Lourdes for both futsal and soccer. Brax participated in Under 11 Northern Team at National School Futsal championships. He plays in the Northern Pulse Under 12 Futsal team and was chosen to represent Australia in the National Under 12 boys futsal team to play in Malaysia. Brax was also selected for Jeremy Brockie high performance squad at the Gold Coast for soccer.
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
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.
Wesley Davis – Nominated for his contributions to the health and wellbeing of community members. Wes volunteers his time to assist people in getting and keeping fit. He formed a group called Turnups, which is open to likeminded people wishing to get fit. He also arranges hikes and bike rides and provides motivational messages. Wes takes no payment, provides his time, patience, skills and motivation to help people young and old. He has recently been asked to train the Ingham Female Football Team and “Wheelin’ for Willy” team.
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.
Rita Ferrari – Nominated for her contributions to the community through her volunteer involvement with the Queensland Blue Light Association Hinchinbrook Branch. Rita has taken on the role of fundraiser for the organisation and attends weekly fundraising events so the branch can continue to operate and provide U18 youth events and initiatives to our community. She also provides support to Kung Fu classes providing support on behalf of the Blue Light Branch.
Lauren Kopeshke – Nominated for her contributions to the community through volunteering her time on several committees and many events and fundraisers. Lauren was Ingham State School P&C Secretary for nine years. She has also served on kindy committees and volunteered for high school events. Lauren contributes to sporting clubs, including netball for which she regularly umpires and coaches. She has managed teams and organised participation in out of town carnivals. Despite being a busy working mum of three, she always goes above and beyond in her volunteer capacity.
Community Event of the Year Award
No nominations were received for this category.
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
Silvia Brown – Nominated for her contributions to the welfare of the community in providing excellent commitment as Nurse Navagator with Palliative Care at the Ingham Hospital. Silvia regularly drives to Townsville to assist patients in their recovery. She is bubbly, extremely supportive with palliative care and neurology and is brilliant at her job as a Registered Nurse, always going above and beyond in caring for her patients.
Juliene Collins – Nominated for her contributions for her active volunteer fundraising commitments as previously detailed.
Wesley Davis – Nominated for his contributions to the health and wellbeing of community members as previously stated.
Lauren Kopeshke – Nominated for her contributions through volunteering her time on several committees, many events and fundraisers as previously stated.
Felix 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 31st 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.