Australia Day Awards

Robert Lang

Robert Lang was recognised for a lifetime of service spanning more than five decades of volunteering. A long-serving Rural Fire Service volunteer and community advocate, Robert has played a pivotal role in securing vital funding, facilities and resources for brigades across the region. His unwavering commitment and leadership have left a lasting legacy for the Livingstone Shire.

Myilly Symington

Myilly Symington is celebrated for her outstanding leadership, cultural contribution and community service. A former Cultural Captain at Yeppoon State High School, Myilly has represented the Shire locally, nationally and internationally through music and cultural exchange. Her kindness, optimism and dedication continue to inspire young people across the community.

Adam Murrell

Adam Murrell was honoured for his extraordinary service with the Queensland State Emergency Service. Since joining in 2014, Adam has contributed more than 1,800 hours to emergency response, training and disaster recovery efforts. His leadership, professionalism and commitment have strengthened community safety and resilience across the Livingstone Shire.

Livingstone Youth Action Group

The Livingstone Youth Action Group was celebrated for its youth-led advocacy and innovative community initiatives. Meeting weekly throughout the school year, the group tackled issues such as youth wellbeing, social connection and environmental awareness. Their achievements included delivering Livingstone’s first youth music festival, hosting wellbeing-focused open days, establishing youth noticeboards across the Shire and contributing lived-experience insights to Council’s Youth Needs Analysis.

Lachlan Duggan

Lachlan Duggan was acknowledged for his dedication to Muay Thai and community sport. A competitive athlete, coach and mentor, Lachlan represented Australia internationally in 2025, earning a bronze medal and the Team Australia True Grit Award at the IFMA Youth World Championships. His achievements and leadership continue to inspire young athletes across the Livingstone Shire. He is also on track for the Brisbane Olympics 2032.

Capricorn Coast Cricket Club

Capricorn Coast Cricket Club was recognised for its exceptional commitment to community sport and youth development. Over the past two years, the club re-established its Blasters program, dramatically growing participation from four to 44 children and removing the need for families to travel to Rockhampton. The club’s volunteers also support wider community initiatives, including Council’s Holiday Colour Blast program and Queensland Cricket’s “Play Cricket on Keppel” event.

David Hiscox

David Hiscox, was instrumental in organising the Capricorn Coast Beach Clean Up – part of the Great Barrier Reef Clean-Up 2025 protecting the Great Barrier Reef from marine debris since 2019. Dave is passionate about our beautiful beaches and keeping them pristine so they can be enjoyed by everyone. In 2025 they removed 432kgs of waste from Sandy Point to Tanby Point. Make sure you join their next cleanup in October 2026 which plans to be even bigger and better!

Friends of Lammermoor Native Gardens

Friends of Lammermoor Native Gardens is a dedicated volunteer group committed to protecting and maintaining the natural bushland at Lammermoor Native Gardens through weed removal, litter collection and targeted tree planting.
The group also provides opportunities for volunteers to learn about native plant species while enjoying and caring for the local natural environment.
Founded by John (Jean) and Fran (Francoise) Rivory—now in their 90s—the group continues to benefit from their remarkable ongoing involvement each Thursday whenever they are able to attend.

Candece Bergin

Candece Bergin, known as “Miss Candy,” was recognised for her transformative impact on music education and cultural life in the region. Through her leadership and vision, she united students and schools across Central Queensland and founded the Central Queensland Youth Touring Ensemble. Her work has created life-changing opportunities for young musicians while embedding music at the heart of community life.

Keppel Coast Arts Council

Incorporated in 1999, Keppel Coast Arts is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation that plays a vital role in enriching arts and culture across the Capricorn Coast. Through the development and support of local artists and creative projects, KCA has helped foster a vibrant and connected cultural community.
Its initiatives and partnerships include the Fig Tree Markets, The Village Festival, Creek Sessions, movie nights and film festivals, as well as touring performances and exhibitions.

Yeppoon RSL Sub Branch

Yeppoon RSL Sub Branch was recognised for its outstanding support of veterans, service personnel and the wider community. In 2025, the Sub Branch completed a major refurbishment to improve accessibility and functionality while delivering welfare support, commemorative services and community education. Hundreds of volunteer hours each month underpin the Sub Branch’s work, strengthening community connection and honouring Australia’s service history.

Peter Watkins

Peter Watkins was instrumental in shaping the Yeppoon Swans into one of the most successful and respected Aussie rules football clubs in the country, serving five years as vice-president and 15 years as president. Under his leadership, the club built a strong, family-oriented culture alongside major on-field and infrastructure success, including a remarkable 128-game A-grade men’s winning streak and an unprecedented 11th consecutive AFL Capricornia premiership in 2025. He continues to contribute to the community through his role as president of the Yeppoon Turf Club.

Bruce Acutt

The concept for a dedicated veterans’ camp in Central Queensland was first conceived in 1997 and came to life through a partnership between Vietnam veterans and the late Rockhampton psychologist Bruce Acutt. A strong advocate for veterans’ mental health, Bruce dedicated his career to supporting those experiencing PTSD and ultimately surveyed and donated one hectare of his own land to establish Cockscomb Veterans Bush Retreat. Without his generosity and commitment, the retreat would not exist.

Citizen of the Year:
Denis and Kay Ratcliffe

Young Citizen of the Year:
Danielle Armstrong

Sport and Recreation:
Elissa Rosemond

Community:
Kim Newcombe

Arts and Culture:
Lindsay Palmes

Mayoral Award:
Jason Field

Community (Group):
Haynes family

Environment (Group):
Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre P&C

Arts and Culture (Group):
Sing For Health

Sport and Recreation (Group):
Capricorn Coast Toy Library

Business/Innovation/Corporate
Social Responsibility:
JRT Group

Young Citizen of the Year:
Izac Campbell

Mayoral Award:
Tanya Burnett

Living Legend Award:
Ken Landsberg

Community Award:
Andrew Willis

Community Award:
Yeppoon Choral Society

Community Award:
Peta Bosomworth

Rural and Agriculture Award:
Steve Elson

Rural and Agriculture Award:
Kelly McCosker

Citizen of the Year:
Tracey Daffey

Young Citizen of the Year:
Samantha Crowley

Young Citizen of the Year:
Charlie Erlewein

Living Legend Award:
Mary Carroll

Living Legend Award:
Chi Chi Murray

Community Group Service Award:
Yeppoon RSL

Community Group Service Award:
Sailability Capricornia

Mayoral Award:
Yeppoon Community Markets

Mayoral Award:
Shane Yore

Citizen of the Year:
Malcolm Wells

Young Citizen of the Year:
Breanna Willett

Living Legend Award:
Don Knowles

Community Group Service Award:
Emu Park Surf Club

Outstanding Dedication to Public Service Award:
Dr Debra Ibbotson

Mayoral Award:
Julie Palmer

Citizen of the Year:
Yeppoon Lions John and Estelle Lindsay

Young Citizen of the Year:
Owen Harris

Living Legend Award:
Barry Semple

Community Group Service Award:
Capricorn Coast Information Visitor Centre

Outstanding Dedication to Public Service Award:
Trevor Caunt

Mayoral Award:
Owen Harris

Citizen of the Year:
Susan Pullar

Young Citizen of the Year:
Jack Newton

Living Legend Award:
Elizabeth Goodsell

Community Group Award:
Lions Club of Emu Park

Citizen of the Year:
Brian Dorey OAM

Young Citizen of the Year:
Yasmin Craggs

Community Group Service Award:
Yeppoon Surf Lifesaving Club

Senior Sportsperson of the Year:
Bill Robertson

Junior Sportsperson of the Year:
Shirin Kunkel

Administrator of the Year:
Gurney Clamp

Cultural Award:
Barbara Tamassy

Environmental Award :
Dr Alison Jones

Citizen of the Year:
Danielle McKenzie

Young Citizen of the Year:
Mya McDonald

Community Group Service Award:
Capricorn Coast Healthy Aging Group

Community Event:
Yeppoon Lions Pinefest

Sportsperson of the Year:
Brent Pearson

Junior Sportsperson of the Year:
Aidan Scott

Sports Administrator:
Mark Gwynne

Cultural Award (Individual):
Jet James

Cultural Award (Group):
Capricorn Coast Historical Society Inc.

Environmental Award (Individual):
Glennard Keefer

Citizen of the Year:
Peter Conaghan

Young Citizen of the Year:
Caitlin Buttenshaw

Community Group Service Award:
Keppel Bay Sailing Club

Community Event:
Beach Day Out

Sportsperson of the Year:
Steve Gunther

Junior Sportsperson of the Year:
Mackenzie Rolfe

Sports Administrator:
Peter Watkins

Cultural Award (Individual):
Lyn Diefenbach

Cultural Award (Group):
No Nominations Received

Environmental Award (Individual):
Morgan Ells & Mikala Maloney

Environmental Award (Group):
Friends of Lammermoor Native Gardens Group

Citizen of the Year:
Glen Alexander

Young Citizen of the Year:
Sarah Callinan

Community Group Service Award:
The Caves Craft Group

Community Event:
No Nominations Received

Sportsperson of the Year:
Lewis Marshall

Junior Sportsperson of the Year:
Blake Newton

Sports Administrator:
Paul Keating

Cultural Award (Individual):
Tayla Jayne St James

Cultural Award (Group):
No Nominations Received

Environmental Award (Individual):
Shelly McArdle

Environmental Award (Group):
No Nominations Received

Citizen of the Year:
Arthur Hunt

Young Citizen of the Year:
Gracie Wellspring

Community Service Award (Individual):
Marie Lee

Community Service Award (Group):
The Caves & District Lions Club Inc.

Community Event:
Yeppoon Lions Tropical Pinefest

Sportsperson of the Year:
Brent Pearson

Junior Sportsperson of the Year:
Seamus Byrt

Sports Administrator:
Carole Gifford

Cultural Award:
Kenneth Powell Jones

Junior Cultural Award:
No Nominations Received

Environmental Award (Group):
Livingstone Community Nursery

Environmental Award (Individual):
Leise Childs

Citizen of the Year:
Jan Boyd

Young Citizen of the Year:
Reece Hedges

Community Service Award:
Barry & Bev Hannam

Community Event:
Yeppoon & District Show Society Inc

Sportsperson of the Year:
Beverley Laundry & Kira-Lee Leo

Junior Sportsperson of the Year:
Caleb Dooley

Sports Administrator:
Margie Grant

Cultural Award:
Terry Hayes

Junior Cultural Award:
Emily Bartlett

Environmental Award:
Ginny Gerlach