Twenty of the Cassowary Coast’s most selfless, generous and dedicated community members were celebrated Wednesay as part of the 2022 Cassowary Coast Regional Council Australia Day Awards.
Cassowary Coast Mayor Mark Nolan said the winners are an inspiring selection of residents, volunteers and professionals who sacrifice their time to give back to others and are the foundation blocks of what we know as our amazing community.
“The annual Cassowary Coast Australia Day Awards are an important platform to publicly honour our local heroes, the quiet achievers doing big things, and those inspiring individuals that better enrich our community,” Councillor Nolan said.
“This year’s crop of winners has given so much to improve our little towns; from animal warriors who champion protection of our unique native animals, to advocates of children’s health as well as everyday people who volunteer their time to showcase the history of our small towns’ and its people.
“Each and every one of them have made substantial contributions to improve our region – we are better off as a community for their efforts and thank them for their continued dedication and service.”
A full list of the 2022 Australia Day Award recipients can be found right:
• Citizen of the year - Irene Braddick
• Young citizen of the year - Stella Berge
• Lifetime Contribution Award - John Casale
• Lifetime Contribution Award - Kathy Martin
• Lifetime Contribution Award - David Jones
• Lifetime Contribution Award - Wanda Lowe
• Lifetime Contribution Award - Thea Ormonde
• Community event of the year - Tropical Art Deco Festival 2021
• Sportsperson of the year - Brooke Tongalea
• Young sports person award - Hannah Dryden
• Service to sport - Amber Overton • Service to sport - Shawn Dineen
• Service to sport - Brian McElhinney
• Cultural award - Laurie Trott
• Sustainable environment award - Sharon & Steve McGuiness
• Young Cultural Award - Eliza Cook
• Achievement Award - Lorraine Wheeler • Achievement Award - Jane Henley & Lidia Mackay
• Excellence and innovation award - Maria Girgenti
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – STELLA BERGE
Stella Berge is recognised as an inspiring member of the Cassowary Coast region. Stella has brought integrity, commitment and passion to her roles as Junior School Captain at Tully State High School in 2021. She was also recognised as Tully High School Junior Citizen of the Year, as well as awarded the Year 9 Academic Merit award.
Outside of school, Stella has received outstanding Netball accolades. She volunteers her time as umpire for Junior and Senior netball games- whilst being an active weekly participant in the sport herself. If this wasn’t enough, she also volunteers her time umpiring junior and senior touch football games each week, whilst being participating herself in the sport. Stella is a volunteer member of the Mission Beach Life Saving Club and volunteered at the 2021 Tully Debutante ball.
Stella is an inspirational role model and, besides being an asset to her school and local sporting clubs, she has achieved academic and sporting achievements well beyond her young age. Stella will next turn her eye to completing her bronze medallion when she turns 15 later this year. The course will allow her to participate in Surf Life Saving patrol operations.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – IRENE BRADDICK
It could be said that there would not be many people within the Cassowary Coast who have not benefited in some way from the volunteering efforts made by our 2022 Citizen of the Year. Irene Braddick is honoured as Cassowary Coast’s Citizen of the Year for her exhaustive volunteering and long commitment to making our community a better place.
Irene has lived in and been a volunteer in the Cassowary Coast Region for 29 years across several local and regional community organisations. She has been a part of the Tully Lions Club, Angel Care, Meals on Wheels and last year, Irene also joined Mission Arts Mission Beach Community Arts Centre and is secretary of its management committee.
In 2021, Irene also facilitated the Lions Children’s Vision Screening Program throughout the Cassowary Coast Region, and into other parts of Queensland. Irene works in this program while continuing to volunteer in other roles extensively.
Irene and her husband have conducted the screening program throughout the Cassowary Coast Region, but have also travelled across western parts of Queensland to deliver the program.
