Scenic Rim Australia Day Awards nominees recognised
Community champions, including dedicated volunteers and inspirational community groups, have been recognised by their community as nominees in the 2025 Australia Day Awards.
Council received 15 nominations for the annual Awards which celebrate the significant contribution that individuals and community events have made to the Scenic Rim region and its broader communities.
Judging for the Awards is underway, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony that will be held on 26 January 2025 at The Centre Beaudesert, in conjunction with the annual Australia Day citizenship ceremony.
Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharp said that Council was thankful to those who took the time to nominate candidates for the 2025 Australia Day Awards, and extended his congratulations to the nominees whose selfless contributions have made such a meaningful impact on our communities.
“The nominations this year are inspiring and truly represent the fabric of our community,” he said.
“Many of these nominees have worked tirelessly, over many years, supporting numerous organisations, and Council is delighted to be able to recognise them for their substantial contributions.”
The awards will be presented across four categories, Citizen of the Year (16 to 30 years), Citizen of the Year (31 to 65 years), Citizen of the Year (65+ years) and Community Event of the Year.
The nominees for the 2025 Scenic Rim Australia Day Awards are:
Citizen of the Year (16-30 Years)
Izzabella Lower
Boonah State High School student, Izzabella is a scholarship recipient from the University of Queensland via their Young Achievers Program. Passionate about her community, Izzabella identified the need for a publicly accessible defibrillator for her community of Kalbar, and in 2024 she commenced her self-started campaign Run 4 Lives, which has raised $4,000 toward the cause.
Izzabella is involved in volunteering activities for local organisations including the Fassifern Lions Club, the Beaudesert Show, and the Boonah Show. Her other recent accolades include Champion Young Judge at Farmfest 2023, finalist in the Lions District Q1 State Finals 2024 and Princess category Showgirl winner at the Boonah Show Ball.
Sarah Thorpe
Sarah is a Hillview State School teacher dedicated to nurturing and supporting children in her community. Sarah runs the Hillview State School playgroup and donates her time and skillset to coaching local athletes. Sarah represented Australia in the 2024 Oceania Athletics Championships for shot put, and shares her love of the sport by mentoring competitors of Beaudesert Little Athletics Club. Sarah is a rural ambassador winner of the Beaudesert Show and represented her community at the State Finals after winning the South-East Sub Chamber title. Sarah has participated in fundraising for the Mater Breast Cancer Pink Walk and is a dedicated and active member of the Beaudesert Little Athletics Club and Beaudesert Tennis Club.
Typhoon le Garde
Typhoon is a 16-year-old musician, competitive athlete and community volunteer who attends The Kooralbyn International School (TKIS). A committed community volunteer and ambassador, Typhoon is involved with numerous organisations. He is an active Junior member of BADCAP, as well as a Beaudesert Emergency Services Cadet (previously attending the State Youth Leadership Program Level 1), an honorary member of the Kooralybn RSL sub-branch (donating his time and skills as their dedicated bugler), and a support to the Beaudesert Lions Club and Beaudesert Rotary Club (having attended the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment).
Typhoon is a keen sportsman. He is a member of the 2024 Queensland Representative School Sport Student Advisory Committee and an athlete in the Gold Coast Academy Future Stars program (invited to participate in the 2025 Future Stars extension program). In October 2024 he received a Mayoral Award recognising exceptional dedication to sport and academic excellence.
Typhoon also attends the Young Conservatorium at Griffith University and has been granted a berth on the Young Endeavour Tall Ship in 2025. Typhoon has been recognised as “welcoming new challenges with a smile and shows great strength of character in his everyday life”.
Citizen of the Year (31-65 Years)
Janine Rockliff
Janine is the Chairperson for the Canungra Chamber of Commerce's Steering Committee (for the Canungra Community Bank) and has been Chairperson of the Canungra & District Community Financial Group for 11 years. Janine’s involvement with these activities were instrumental in returning banking services to Canungra after a 30 year hiatus and finding a banking model that has returned over $300,000 to the community in the form of grants, donations and sponsorships.
Janine was part of the driving force to create Community Cancer Care, which coordinates the annual ‘Turning Canungra Pink’ fundraising program and Care Assist, a dedicated organisation which directs funds to assist local people being treated for cancer. Janine has contributed countless volunteer hours to these causes and is a motivational influence who has a proven ability to inspire others. Janine is also active in the Canungra Rural Fire Service (CRFB), the Wonglepong CWA, the Canungra Show and the Canungra Rodeo.
Marijke Freeman
Marijke manages the Beaudesert Caravan and Tourist Park and has been recognised by her community as creating a welcoming, supportive environment that embodies the spirit of a friendly and engaged community.
Marijke coordinates a range of onsite events including Australia Day, ANZAC Day, Christmas, Easter, Melbourne Cup, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and regular outings to local establishments for residents of the park. Marijke has introduced a recycling program within the park creating an environmental approach to fundraising for residents in need. Marijke also volunteers her time as an assessor for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Marijke is dedicated to the development of young people in the community and helping to support them to achieve their goals.
William Paton
William is a Gleneagle resident who is passionate about empowering veterans, individuals with disabilities, and teenagers seeking purpose through the bond and training of their dogs.
William has collaborated with Veteran Mentors, supporting their military program for youth which addresses issues such as low self-esteem, lack of respect, behavioural issues, and technology addiction. William is a past Special Forces Commando Military Working Dog Handler and is committed to developing the next generation of professional dog trainers. He runs intensive year-long mentorships, transforming trainees into highly qualified professionals and confident, resilient adults ready to tackle real-world challenges. William's life has been dedicated to service, including his prestigious career as a Special Forces Soldier.
Citizen of the Year 65+ Years
Barry Chatel
Barry is an active member of the Tamborine Mountain Bowls Club and is responsible for the inception and ongoing coordination of 'First Friday Bowls' for ‘Mountain Mates’ an organisation for young adults with intellectual and other disabilities. Barry nurtures partnerships between the Tamborine Mountain Bowls Club, Tamborine Mountain Lions, and Club Tamborine to consistently deliver this event over the past five years. The activity has fostered a strong community connection between the Club and participants whilst supporting the development of their social and life skills. Earlier this year he initiated a garden program for the Bowls Club delivered by the Mountain Mates organisation. Barry has also provided technical support and stage management for the local community 2023 event ‘Dancing with Celebrities’ (which won Scenic Rim Regional Council's Community Event of the Year). Barry is an active member of the Mountain Mates steering committee and volunteers for Formally Ever After, Tamborine Mountain Little Theatre, Zamia Theatre and has provided support for Bella A’Capella. The Lions Club of Tamborine Mountain formally recognised him in July, awarding him the national J D Richardson Award as a long-term community volunteer.
George Massam
George has been an active member of the Biddaddaba Creek Action Group (BCAG) since 1988 and President of the organisation since 1998. The Biddaddaba Creek Action Group (BCAG), under George’s presidency, successfully advocated for the sealing of a section of Beaudesert-Nerang Road in 2024. The group also raised funds and joined forces with Landcare organisations to coordinate the control of invasive species along Biddaddaba Creek.
Under George’s leadership BCAG has increased its membership base to ensure its continued dedication to improving their local area. George has also held the position as President of the Beaudesert Squash Club for 12 years.
Julie Jane (Jane) Bell
Julie (Jane) Bell has been a driving force at the Beaudesert Pony Club since 1980. Her involvement with the club has seen her in pivotal roles including, Secretary, Chief Instructor, Vice President, and President.
Her continued commitment to the Club, and region, is evident in her dedicated service to the equestrian community.
Jane mentors and educates younger generations with grace and dedication with no financial recompense or recognition of self-importance.
Jane was recognised in 2009 as a recipient of the Pony Club Association of Queensland Inc 50th Jubilee Award for service to Pony Club, as an organiser, instructor and volunteer over many years, and she continues tirelessly in this work today.
Sandra McDonald
Sandra has dedicated her time to documenting the lives of soldiers involved in the second World War. Having written numerous biographies to this end, eight of these manuscripts are now held in the National Library of Canberra.
Sandra joined the Tamborine Mountain Family History group and is closely engaged with them to this day. Through this organisation Sandra assists others to research their family ancestry.
In 2017 Sandra joined the Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival committee, her roles for this organisation have included coordinating the children’s art contest and poetry competition. Together with her husband, Sandra sponsors the junior and adult poetry competitions at the event each year.
Trevor Henderson
Tamborine resident Trevor Henderson has been involved in the local community and surrounding districts for over seventy years. Trevor is an extremely dedicated fire fighter and has played an integral role in the Tamborine Rural Fire Brigade from an early age. He has held multiple roles within the organisation including Fire Warden and Second Officer and has helped the organisaton fight countless fires, saving properties and rescuing people across his community and beyond.
Trevor selflessly donates his time and equipment to slash and mow for community groups and events for the local region. He has also initiated and led the organisation of the Annual Tamborine Rural Fire Brigade and Community BBQ for over 20 years. Trevor is referred to as a ‘pillar of the Tamborine community’, having been recognised by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services with a 50 Years of service award.
Community Event of the Year
BADCAP Scenic Rim Small Sculpture Exhibition 2024
This inaugural arts sculpture exhibition developed and hosted by arts group, Beaudesert and District Community Art Project (BADCAP), celebrated the Sesquicentennial (150 years) Anniversary of Beaudesert, under the theme of Past - Present - Future. Showcasing local creativity, and fostering cultural pride, the weeklong exhibition drew local Scenic Rim Artists together. The event successfully boosted the local economy by drawing visitors to Beaudesert to view the exhibition. The event also engaged community through interactions workshops. Organisers collaborated with HOTA (Home of the Arts) representatives, which has led to the consultation of future collaborations, expanding the artistic scene in Beaudesert.
Fassifern Junior Rugby League Football Club ANZAC Super Saturday event
Hosted on Saturday 20 April 2024 at Hayes Oval, Harrisville, Fassifern Junior Rugby League Football Club presented their ANZAC Super Saturday event, which coincided with the opening round of the local rugby league competition. Coordinated with other local community groups and schools to encapsulate an ANZAC theme. Ceremonial elements were incorporated, including, ANZAC themed jerseys, displays of local heroes enlistment photos, and a vintage military jeep display. Demonstrations from Lockyer Light Horse Battalion and an aerial display of three vintage aircraft and an impressive low flyover of an enormous C17 Globemaster were also coordinated much to the delight of visitors to the event.
The meet was labelled the ‘biggest community event within the Queensland Rugby League’. It created a fun field experience for members and grew the game of rugby league in the local district.
The Club is especially proud of the platform it provided to explore the local community’s connection with ANZAC history.
Hops and Harmony
A joyous community celebration through song and rhythm, this unique community event combines the joy of music and warmth of social connection. Held regularly in the Scenic Rim at numerous locations, the event features themed music nights and performances by local and emerging musicians. Each event raises funds for children’s charities through Humanitix and provides direct aid to those in need. The event also fosters local performing talent and regularly assists local families facing hardship through raffles, competitions and donations. A truly community minded event, it embodies the spirit of generosity and cultural enrichment.
The Beaudesert and District Tennis Association - 2024 Open Men's Prize Money Tournament
Held Friday 5 July to Sunday 7 July 2024, the Beaudesert and District Tennis Association hosted their 2024 Open Men's Prize Money Tournament. This local tennis event attracted high calibre players from across Australia and abroad, exposing local players to game building challengers.
The two-day event drew athletes and their support networks to the region, which in turn supported local businesses and the local economy. The tournament also motivated new members to join the club, creating a positive impact on mental, social and physical attributes for players and community at large.