Australia Day Awards recognise nine of the region’s most deserving community members

18 January 2021

Community members from all corners of the Southern Downs have been recognised in the 2021 Australia Day Awards.

Standing tall above the crowd is this year’s Southern Downs Citizen of the Year, Debbie-Ann Wilmot of Stanthorpe.

Debbie-Ann was recognised for her selfless and generous work within the Stanthorpe community, including the Stanthorpe Cancer Support Group, Stanthorpe Hospital Community Consultative Committee, Stanthorpe Rugby League, Stanthorpe Sports Association, Stanthorpe Zonta, Stanthorpe Little Theatre, Stanthorpe Agricultural Society and many more.

Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor Vic Pennisi congratulated all the nominees and the award winners for their achievements and contributions over the past years.

“These community members set a shining example and are a proud testimony of the citizens we have here on the Southern Downs – they are my inspiration,” Mayor Pennisi said. “All of the nominees and the award winners are worthy of recognition and all have made selfless sacrifices and achieved great things.

“These Australia Day Awards allow us as a community to say thank you and recognise some of the community members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, and mostly after hours.

“It’s also a chance to applaud those other amazing contributions and work done by individuals or groups that build the Southern Downs community, into a place where we all want to live, work, rest and play.”

The 2021 Australia Day Award winners will be honoured at ceremonies in both Stanthorpe and Warwick.

The award winners are as follows:

• Southern Downs Citizen of the Year 2021 – Debbie-Ann Wilmot
• Citizen of the Year Award 2021 – Northern Region – Sharlene (Franky) Horton
• Citizen of the Year Award 2021 – Southern Region – Debbie-Ann Wilmot
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• Junior Citizen of the Year Award 2021 – Northern Region – Ella Winfield
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• Sportsperson of the Year Award 2021 – Southern Region – Ben Armbruster>
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• Junior Sportsperson of the Year Award 2021 – Northern Region – Bailey Harm
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• Junior Sportsperson of the Year Award 2021 – Southern Region – Rohan Brady
• Cultural/Community Event or Person of the Year Award 2021 – Northern Region – Allora 150th Year Celebration
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• Cultural/Community Event or Person of the Year Award 2021 – Southern Region – Amiens History Association

The 2021 Australia Day Awards winners will be recognised following citizenship ceremonies for the region’s newest citizens at the following events:

WARWICK
Date: Tuesday 26 January 2021
Time: 9am – 11am
Venue: Warwick Town Hall

STANTHORPE
Date: Tuesday 26 January 2021
Time: 3.30pm to 5pm
Venue: Weeroona Park

For all the latest Southern Downs Regional Council news, visit www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/news or call 1300 697 372.