Australia Day Awards
The Rockhampton Region Australia Day Awards celebrate the achievement and contribution of individuals and organisations in our Region. These awards are an opportunity to publicly acknowledge those who have made an extraordinary contribution or are an outstanding achiever.
Nominations for the 2023 Australia Day Awards will open towards the end of 2022. Winners will be announced at the Australia Day Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, 26 January 2023.
Previous Winners
Note: The previous recipient of any award will not be eligible to win that same award for a period of five (5) years.
2022
Citizen of the Year
Jennifer Hilcher
Community Initiative Award
Rockhampton Relay for Life
Community Service Award
Gary Murray
Sports Official of the Year Award
Craig McCormack
Sportsperson of the Year Award
Joel Coughlan
Cultural Award
Shelby Ward
2021
Citizen of the Year
Edward Olsson
Young Citizen of the Year
Denvah Baker-Moller
Community Initiative Award
Peter and Lynne Foxwell (Sunflower farm)
Community Service Award
Bouldercombe Singers
Sports Official of the Year Award
Marie Sweeney
Sportsperson of the Year Award
Jessica Moffat
Cultural Award
Carmel Beezley-Drake
2020
Citizen of the Year
Keith Ireland
Young Citizen of the Year
Thomas Jackson
Community Initiative Award
The Jolly Rogers Fishing Club
Community Service Award
Dianne Coburn
Sports Official of the Year Award
Susan McDonald
Sportsperson of the Year Award
David Barber
Judges Commendation Sportsperson of the Year
Tyson Ireland
Read more about the 2020 winners here.
2019
Citizen of the Year
Errol Payne
Young Citizen of the Year
Blake Moore
Community Event/Initiative Award
Cassandra Donald and Jenny Wayman
Community Service Award
Graham and Beth Hubbert
Sports Official of the Year Award
Barbara Knowles
Sportsperson of the Year Award
Kaleb Christensen
2018
Citizen of the Year
Frank Douglas
Young Citizen of the Year
James Lawson
Community Initiative Award
Joy Symons
Community Event Award
Joint Rockhampton Rowing Committee
Community Service Award
Alan Titman
Cultural Award
Julie Ann Layt
Sportsperson of the Year
Paul Christensen
2017
Citizen of the Year
Shirley Shannon
Young Citizen of the Year
Alexander ‘Sasha’ Belonogoff
Community Initiative Award
Library Technology Centre Computer Training Team
Community Service Award
Erlinda Esguerra
Cultural Award
Susan Earle
Sportsperson of the Year
Peter Harth
2016
Citizen of the Year
Denis O’Driscoll
Young Citizen of the Year
Madison Dyer
Community Service Award
Rockhampton SES and Sue Davidson
Community Event/Initiative Award
Jessica and Kylie Drew (Luna Markets) and Rodney Dare (Powerkids)
Cultural Award
Patricia Thompson
Sportsperson of the Year
Daniel Withers