Lockyer Valley Australia Day Award recipients announced
On Australia Day we celebrate being Australian together.
We reflect on the resilience of communities and the spirit of helping, giving and supporting that defines us as Australians.
We respect the stories, histories and contributions of all Australians, especially those who have given so much over the past year.
Australia Day 2022 is a day for us to celebrate and thank the people, groups and events in our community that stand out, go over and above, put others first and make the Lockyer Valley a great place to live.
The Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony was well attended with over 300 guests across both ceremonies.
Two passionate volunteers have been recognised for their
dedication to the community, receiving top gongs at this year’s Lockyer Valley
Australia Day ceremony.
Gatton’s Doreen Sabburg was awarded the 2022 Lockyer Valley
Citizen of the Year, while Lockrose’s Chantelle Grief was bestowed Young
Citizen of the Year during a formal ceremony at Gatton Shire Hall on Australia Day.
For more than 64 years, Doreen has volunteered at the Peace
Lutheran Church, and her long association with the Ladies Women’s Guild
stretches back to the early 1950s.
Well known and highly respected in the community, Doreen
has dedicated her life to helping others and epitomises the values of Citizen
of the Year, Lockyer Valley Mayor Tanya Milligan said.
“This is such a fitting recognition for Doreen, who has
spent more than half a century selflessly giving her time and assisting others
in the community - and she shows no signs of slowing down!” Mayor Milligan said.
She also touched on Doreen’s national pride.
“Doreen is a great supporter of community events, attending
every Australia Day awards ceremony fully kitted out in Australia gear, which
makes bestowing this award on her today even more special.”
Just like Doreen, Chantelle is always willing to lend a hand
and help others in need, volunteering her time at a Laidley animal rescue,
Riding for the Disabled and NAIDOC and Multicultural Festival events.
Mayor Milligan said the teen - who is also an active member
of the Plainland 2nd Light Horse and 139th Army Cadets - had made the community
proud, not only through her impressive volunteering efforts but also her
sporting prowess.
“Chantelle was the first multiclass athlete from the
Lockyer to compete at the Pacific School Games in 30 years,” she said.
“She was only 13 years old at the time, winning a silver
medal at the Pacific School Games in 2018.
“Chantelle is a fantastic role model that others in the
community can aspire to.”
Several other awards were presented to deserving recipients
during the official Australia Day ceremony, including the prestigious Mayoral
Award.
This year, the Mayor’s choice went to local icon and
businesswoman, Valerie Vaughan.
Mayor Milligan said it gave her great pleasure to announce
Valerie as the recipient of the award, which recognises a community member who
has achieved great things for others.
“Valerie is a highly valued member of our community, raised
on the land as a child where an understanding of country values was planted and
nurtured,” she said.
“Her compassion, kindness and exceptional service is
legendary in Gatton and she has touched many lives over the years, often
opening her chemist before and after business hours to those in need, and
generally going above and beyond for our community.
“If there’s a community event or something good for the
town, or even a problem that requires attention, Valerie would likely be
there.”
The Lockyer Valley Australia Day Award recipients
are:
Citizen of the Year: Doreen Sabburg
Young Citizen of the Year: Chantelle Greif
Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Sage Martin
Community Organisation of the Year: Gatton Rugby League
Football Club – Gatton Hawks
Event of the Year: 2021 Gatton Show
Mayoral Award: Valerie Vaughan
