Trinity Anglican School (TAS) is celebrating the outstanding achievements of students recognised in the Cairns Regional Council’s 2026 Australia Day Awards, with Year 7 student Summer Adams named Highly Commended in the Young Citizen of the Year category, and Year 6 student Scarlett Cheetham also acknowledged as a nominee.

Summer Adams

After founding Summer Spirit, a sustainable initiative through which she handcrafts and sells products at markets and online, donating proceeds to conservation and community causes, Summer Adams was honoured for her remarkable commitment to wildlife conservation, community service and youth empowerment.

Summer’s leadership has already attracted national attention, including recognition as a top-three fundraiser in the Australia Zoo Visionary Wildlife Warriors program in 2024, and the completion of local wildlife carer training with The Agile Project in 2025, with which she is currently partnered to help protect native animals in her region. Beyond environmental advocacy, she has also applied her creativity and business skills to raise funds and provide toys in support of the Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service.

TAS Principal Paul Sjogren said Summer’s award reflects the power of young people to drive meaningful change.

“Summer exemplifies the TAS values and our commitment to developing strong character,” Mr Sjogren said.

“Her initiative shows that even small, student-led actions can create a lasting ripple effect across the wider community.”

Scarlett Cheetham

Mr Sjogren also congratulated Year 6 student Scarlett Cheetham on her nomination for Young Citizen of the Year, in recognition of her longstanding commitment to kindness, volunteering, and environmental and marine conservation initiatives.

A proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young leader, Scarlett has contributed to a wide range of community support and cultural programs, while also undertaking hands-on reef and restoration work and fundraising for marine causes.

In 2026, Scarlett will continue her environmental work by raising funds through the sale of hand-woven Indigenous necklaces to support the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. This follows her 2025 campaign, which raised $4000 through bake sales and cans for cash to help protect the Great Barrier Reef.

“We are incredibly proud of both Summer and Scarlett for representing TAS and the broader Cairns community with such compassion, determination and purpose,” he said.

The annual Cairns Regional Council Australia Day Awards celebrate individuals making exceptional contributions to the region across community, citizenship and service.