The recipients of the 2022 Banana Shire Australia Day Awards were announced this morning at the official ceremony held at Queensland Heritage Park in Biloela.

Robert Price was named Citizen of the Year for tirelessly donating time, work and effort into supporting his community.

Robert has dedicated his life to helping his community.  Six months after joining the Baralaba Fire Station, Robert was assigned Captain of the Fire Brigade now QFES a role he has been in for 35 years. He has seen countless fires, road accidents and saved many lives. Robert’s altruism is endless within his community from fundraising events, to personally helping and caring for community members during difficult times.

The recipients of the 2022 Banana Shire Australia Day Awards are:

Citizen of the Year: Robert Price

Young Citizen of the Year: Caitlin Boothby

Cultural Award: Susan Cook

Junior Cultural Award: Lucy Johnston

Volunteer Award: Aileen Trace

Sports Coach, Official and/or Administrator: Paul Quarmby

Senior Sportsperson: No Nominations Received

Junior Sportsperson: Mitchell Hay

Community Group or Team: Rotary Club of Biloela

Community Event of the Year: Walking Together with the Star of Taroom

Banana Shire Council Mayor Nev Ferrier presented nine Australia Day awards at the official ceremony where he recognised the achievements and contributions these outstanding people and community groups do for the Shire.

“I am extremely proud and humbled by each and every one of the nominees in this year’s Australia Day Awards.  The level of commitment and service these individuals and groups provide to our Shire shows true community spirit,” Mayor Nev Ferrier said.

The Banana Shire 2023 Australia Day Awards Celebrations will be held in Jambin on Thursday 26th January, 2023.

Background information on 2022 Banana Shire Australia Day Award Winners:

Citizen of the Year - Robert Price

Robert Price has lived in Baralaba all his life and cares deeply for his town and community. Six months after joining the Baralaba Fire Station, Robert Price was assigned Captain of the Fire Brigade now named QFES and has held this role for the past 35 years. He has seen countless fires, road accidents and saved many people’s lives. Robert’s altruism is endless within his community from fundraising events, to personally helping out community members during difficult times.

Robert is a keen fisherman and President of the Recreation and Fish Stocking Group and has been running the popular Saratoga Fishing Competition for the past 25 which attracts over 250 people each year. 

Young Citizen of the Year – Caitlin Boothby

Caitlin Boothby is a studious and determined young woman who has worked hard – in her schoolwork and for her community. She is an active member of the Biloela Netball Association – playing, coaching and umpiring – serving as a wonderful role model for younger players. In 2021, Caitlin was the winner of the QMEA (Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy) Exceptional Female Student of the Year. She also served on the Queensland Student Advisory Committee. Caitlin entered the Miss Callide Valley Showgirl in 2021, to lift the profile of the local agricultural show, and won the competition.

Cultural Award: Susan Cook

As an elder and an artist in the Iman tribe and Wardingarri Corporation, Susan Cook was responsible for preparing the Wardingarri Keeping Place in preparation for the arrival of the Star of Taroom, painting a carpet snake mural around the entire premises. Susan, with her sister Wendy, also organised paintings and storylines to honour all the Iman ancestors. Susan has helped promote the Taroom area by doing interviews for social media. She has provided NAIDOC Week activities for school children in the Shire and loves spending time with young ones, getting them interested in cultural art. Susan also supports and exhibits in the Taroom Art Show.

Junior Cultural Award: Lucy Johnston

Lucy Johnston has given the gift of her music to support many worthy causes, all while completing Year 12 at school. She has volunteered her time to perform individually and in bands and ensembles at community and cultural events in the Shire. Lucy teaches piano to young beginners and gives them a love and appreciation of music. Lucy was awarded the 2021 Most Outstanding Vocalist and/or Instrumentalist Bursary at the Biloela Eisteddfod. She also achieved a High Distinction in her AMEB Grade 8 Piano Exam.

Volunteer Award: Aileen Trace

Aileen Trace has been a keen supporter of the Endeavour Foundation for nearly four decades. Biloela has been recognised as the area with the highest Country Fundraising total in Queensland, due in part to Aileen’s tireless efforts. She runs a large cent sale twice a year, donating all monies to Endeavour, and the funds raised are used to support the local community. Aileen assisted Endeavour to open their new premises, “The Hub”, in Biloela in 2021, and was able to donate $90,000 to the local branch.

Sports Coach, Official and/or Administrator: Paul Quarmby

A former professional footballer and now a full-time paramedic, Paul Quarmby has made a huge contribution to local soccer. As Technical Director of Biloela Valleys Soccer Club in 2021, he ran two school holiday development camps for 70 children from across Central Queensland. He coordinates coaching courses and does extensive administration work for the start of each soccer season. Paul has been the head coach of Senior Valleys Soccer since 2018, seeing the team achieve incredible success. In 2021, Paul established the Striker Academy for young skilled soccer players from the Banana Shire and North Burnett region.

Junior Sportsperson: Mitchell Hay

While Mitchell (Bill) Hay enjoys participating in various sports, cricket is his obsession. He recently competed in the QLD Premier Cricket Lord’s Taverner Under-16 Competition as part of the Darling Downs and South West team, the pinnacle of club cricket in the region. Although still a junior, Mitchell plays in the Chinchilla and District Senior Competition (with the adults). As 2021 school captain of Taroom State School, he has built relationships with many of the younger children and is a model of responsibility and work ethic. Mitchell is well-liked and respected by both adults and children in the community.

Community Group or Team: Rotary Club of Biloela

The Rotary Club of Biloela works tirelessly to support various charities, organisations, individuals, and Rotary’s programs. The club members’ hard work annually, on a voluntary basis, has raised funds for such worthy causes as JBoys, mental health organisations, schools, the local arts scene, the Callide Valley Show, and many others. The club also organises and supports a number of local events including its Annual Market Day, Carols by Candlelight, Autofeste, and Biloela Enterprise Christmas Festival.

Community Event of the Year: Walking Together with the Star of Taroom

A collaboration between the Taroom Historical Society – Taroom Museum, The Star of Taroom (charity) and Wardingarri Corporation saw the displaced stone of significance repatriated to Iman Country in Taroom. Committed volunteers walked the 160kg stone in a specially made cart, with the 500km journey culminating in the Star being returned to country and a community celebration. The walk highlighted the traditional owners and the story of the Star as well as promoting reconciliation.