Lockyer Valley Australia Day Winners Announced
Ron Johnstone has been named the 2026 Lockyer Valley Citizen of the Year.
The beloved community ambassador wears many hats across the Lockyer Valley, namely as the Town Crier, and is a deeply involved and longstanding member of the Laidley Pioneer Village & Museum and the Gatton & District Historical Society.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said that through Ron’s efforts in historical preservation and tourism promotion, he has contributed directly to the cultural and economic vibrancy of the Lockyer Valley.
“Ron is passionate about preserving and promoting local history. His tireless community contributions and volunteering spans decades, and he leads by example, showing what it means to serve with humility and dedication.
“He performs his role as Town Crier with gusto, literally shouting with great pride, about how wonderful it is to live in the Lockyer Valley.
“He really is an icon of the Lockyer Valley and I’m thrilled to see his passion and years of service formally recognised as our 2026 Citizen of the Year,” she said.
Mayor Milligan described the Mayoral Award recipient, Gayle Daetz, as a generous and passionate community member.
“Gayle is known by so many in our community. She genuinely believes the Lockyer Valley is the best place to live.
“It was the loss of Gayle’s son Jody to Leukemia in 1999 that began her volunteering journey with the Leukemia Foundation.
“Gayle went on to become president of the Leukemia Foundation’s Lockyer and Brisbane Valley Branch from 2005 to 2014, where she worked tirelessly to support patients and families through fundraisers and awareness programs.
“Gayle also founded the Team Jody Foundation, where she tirelessly organises two markets every year at Forest Hill, high teas and a bus trip for 20-30 participants every six weeks, highlighting different tourism activities in not only the Lockyer Valley, but also surrounding regions.
“You will find Gayle volunteering everywhere – from the Das Neumann Haus to the Heritage Festival and Laidley Spring Festival.
“She really is the epitome of resilience, perseverance and strength and it is wonderful to publicly recognise her today,” Mayor Milligan said.
Mayor Milligan said all award winners were to be congratulated.
“This is our way of saying thanks for all they’ve done to make a positive impact on our community.
“Our region wouldn’t be what it is without their efforts and we applaud all the award winners and commend them for a job well done,” she said.
The full list of the 2026 Lockyer Valley Australia Day Award winners is:
Community Organisation of the Year: Gatton Black Pigs Rugby Union Club
Event of the Year: Ma Ma Creek Exhibition
Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Samson Noffke
Senior Sportsperson of the Year: Jason Northey
Young Citizen of the Year: Haylie Morton
Citizen of the Year: Ron Johnstone
Mayoral Award Winner: Gayle Daetz
