Southern Downs Regional Council announced the recipients of the 2025 Citizen of the Year Awards at a special civic ceremony held at Dalveen State School on Sunday 26 January.
These outstanding individuals and events were formally honoured for their exceptional dedication, leadership and service.
- Citizens of the Year: Beatrice Hawkins and Sandy Venn Brown
- Junior Citizens of the Year: Isabella Sullivan and Ashley Wren
- Sportsperson or Sports Administrator of the Year: Damien Lawler
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Bailey Harm
- Cultural Citizen of the Year: Elise O’Brien
- Junior Cultural Citizen of the Year: Ryon Gibson
Southern Downs Mayor Melissa Hamilton extended her congratulations to all the award recipients and nominees.
“The Citizen of the Year Awards is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate some of the region’s finest role models,” Mayor Hamilton said.
“These awards highlight the extraordinary efforts of individuals and groups who make our region a better place to live, and we are immensely proud of their achievements.”
“Adding to the celebration, we are also proud to welcome our newest Australians, who come from all around the world and choose to make Southern Downs their permanent home. This is an opportunity for everyone to affirm what it means to be Australian.”
Ten new Australians were officially welcomed at the ceremony from the UK, New Zealand, India, and Germany.
This article appeared in the Allora Advertiser, 29 January 2025.