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Lord Mayor’s Australia Day Awards

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Nominate an unsung hero for the Lord Mayor’s Australia Day Awards. View the award categories and past winners.

Group of adults from different multicultural backgrounds looking up at the camera.

About the Lord Mayor’s Australia Day Awards 

These awards recognise local individuals, organisations and events that make a significant contribution to our community. 

It's a chance to celebrate those who go above and beyond and make Brisbane a better place in a voluntary capacity. 

Award categories

Citizen of the Year

Nominees must be 31 years of age or older as of 26 January 2025.

Senior Citizen of the Year

Nominees must be 60 years of age or older as of 26 January 2025.

Young Citizen of the Year

Nominees must be 30 years of age or younger as of 26 January 2025.

Australia Day Cultural/Arts Award

No age limitation for nominees.

Australia Day Sports Award

No age limitation for nominees.

Corporate Citizen of the Year

Individual nominees must be 18 years of age as of 26 January 2025. If nominating a business, the nominated business must have two or more employees.

Community Event of the Year

Nominated events must have been held in Brisbane during the 2024 calendar year.

Green Heart Award

Individual nominees must be 18 years of age or older as of 26 January 2025. If nominating an organisation, the nominated organisation must have two or more members.

Australia Day Achievement Awards

No age limitation for nominees.

Previous winners

2024 winners

Lynn has been volunteering for almost 40 years. In the early days of her journey, she was part of Giving Grannies, a beloved initiative that eventually closed. Undeterred, Lynn saw this as an opportunity to continue making a difference. She went on to establish 2 new charities–Let’s Give and Umbrella – each focusing on helping vulnerable children and youth in our community.

Lynn’s dedication is apparent in her day-to-day activities. You can often find her working from her garage, assembling care packs filled with essentials and thoughtful surprises for children in need. She has formed strong and lasting partnerships with local schools, allowing her to identify children who require extra support and ensuring they receive it.

During the holiday season, Lynn’s dedication shines even brighter. Lynn spends months gathering donations to ensure that each child receives a special Christmas gift. Lynn often shares the profound impact these gifts have on children, how even the simplest items bring tremendous joy and appreciation. Witnessing the happiness these thoughtful gestures bring to children in the local community is truly humbling.

Lynn actively encourages others to get involved by providing tips on finding affordable gifts and personally thanking every contributor on the Let’s Give Facebook page. She dedicates herself on a weekly basis to collecting, organising and distributing donations, showcasing her unwavering commitment.

Michael has served as a Justice of the Peace (JP) since 1987, demonstrating unwavering commitment to volunteering his services to the public. Throughout his tenure, he has actively contributed to various JP initiatives and organisations. Notably, he has been listed on the after-hours contract for Cannon Hill YMCA and is a trusted JP contact for multiple police stations across Brisbane, including Morningside. He actively collaborates with the police on critical tasks, including the execution of search warrants, and participates in sensitive interviews, particularly those involving children.

Michael’s dedication knows no bounds, as evidenced by his availability to assist law enforcement at any hour of the day or night, 24/7. He willingly serves at 4 different JP sites, including the Holland Park Court, where he volunteers at least 3 times a week. Additionally, he plays a vital role as the JP Coordinator at the Cannon Hill YMCA site, where his instrumental efforts were pivotal in its establishment. Furthermore, Michael generously imparts his knowledge as a mentor to new JPs on a regular basis.

In recognition of the public’s needs, Michael has extended his services outside of traditional settings. He has willingly ventured into hospitals and nursing homes, providing assistance and support during times of need. Through his selfless contributions, he has positively impacted the lives of many individuals by offering his time, services and invaluable experience.

Jessica is a dedicated leader within Scouts Queensland, having started at the age of 15. From being a youth helper to a cub leader and now a scout leader, she has shown a strong commitment to the organisation.

As a Rover Scout, Jessica has served on state and national committees and held various roles within the Queensland Branch Rover Council. Although she has recently stepped down from her leadership position, her passion for scouting continues. Jessica has taken on roles in state events and is currently involved in organising the Australian Contingent to the World Scout Moot (International Scout meet up) in Portugal. Outside of scouting, she volunteers with the Red Cross Emergency Services and has contributed countless hours to support various causes.

Despite dealing with her own health issues and managing her studies and work, Jessica remains determined and resilient in pursuing her goals. Her dedication to scouting and the young people involved has been recognised with the Meritorious Service Award from Scouts Australia.

Ingrid is a renowned performer and vocal teacher with over 20 years of experience. She has dedicated her time to helping aspiring singers develop their talent.

Ingrid has been organising the monthly Jazz Singers Jam Nights in Brisbane for the past 23 years. These events give singers the chance to perform with a live band and gain valuable experience. Usually, around a dozen singers, both seasoned and newcomers, perform 2 songs each with a professional jazz trio.

In addition, Ingrid has created Voices of Tomorrow, a platform for school-aged students. Ingrid’s contributions to the vocal jazz scene go beyond performance opportunities. Since 2016, she has been the inaugurator and artistic director of the Brisbane Vocal Jazz Festival, a 4-day event showcasing local and international artists. As part of the festival, Ingrid organises workshops with visiting artists to help aspiring singers improve. The festival has been successful and is expanding in collaboration with the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Ingrid’s dedication to nurturing emerging voices and fostering a vibrant vocal jazz community has earned her international acclaim.

The Eastern Suburbs Football Club has experienced significant growth and success, largely attributed to the exceptional efforts of 3 individuals: Glen, Dennis and Trish.

Glen, a longstanding Club member, held multiple roles and made significant contributions. As president from 2012 to 2024, he led the Club to win Club of the Year in 2014 and 2015, overseeing improvements both on and off the field. He was instrumental in establishing top-rated junior boys’ and girls’ programs and securing the Club’s involvement in high-level football initiatives. Glen played a crucial part in rebuilding the Club after a devastating fire and 2 floods, leading recovery efforts and securing funding.

Dennis and Trish have dedicated over 15 years to the Club. Trish, as Club treasurer, oversees finances for stability and growth. Dennis has held multiple roles, including player, groundskeeper and committee chair. He secured approximately $5 million in funding, significantly benefiting the Club. Alongside Glen and other members, Dennis and Trish successfully managed the Club’s recovery from floods and a fire. They also greatly improved the female football program, increasing participation and earning recognition.

In 2023, they were all deservedly recognised with Life Membership for their exceptional commitment.

Brook is not only the founder and managing director of Mosaic Property Group, but also an active and dedicated individual when it comes to charitable work. He generously volunteers his time, fundraises and makes substantial donations to several charities, including prominent organisations like the Property Industry Foundation, EndED and Destiny Rescue.

Brook’s commitment to making a difference in the community is evident through his significant involvement with Emmanuel City Mission (ECM) for over 5 years, which has enabled the organisation to continue operating and serving the community. Brook remains selfless and grounded, driven by a genuine desire to improve the lives of those who need it most. He has played a critical role in ensuring a bright future for ECM, supporting the homeless centre financially and as a dedicated volunteer.

Brook and his foundation have sustained the operations of ECM and is one of the charities’ most important and most humble donors. However, Brook’s involvement with ECM extends beyond financial support. He actively volunteers with his family and offers personal support to individuals in need. Brook’s commitment to addressing societal challenges is evident through the initiatives he champions with the Mosaic Foundation.

The Brookfield Show is the highlight annual event for residents in the western suburbs. In 2024 there were approximately 30,000 patrons attending the event over the 3 days. With a history of over 100 years, the show has played a significant role in connecting Brookfield’s rural past with its present. The Brookfield Show Society, managed by local volunteers, oversees the event which takes place at the historic Brookfield Showgrounds.

The show’s success is attributed to the strong support received from various local community organisations, including the Brookfield Horse and Pony Club, the Country Women’s Association, as well as artists, animal owners and the Kenmore and Brookfield Rotary clubs. Additionally, corporate support and sponsorship contributes to the event’s success.

The original Brookfield and Moggill Show Society was established in 1905, and their first show took place in 1906. The showgrounds were secured in 1911, and the event has been held most years since. Agricultural shows were popular in Brisbane during the early 20th century and served as platforms for residents to exhibit their produce. The Brookfield Show has been able to continue hosting a traditional agricultural show, primarily due to its status as a rural residential community. It is now the only remaining show in the western suburbs of Brisbane.

For 20 years, John has dedicated his time and skills to community service, environmental conservation and sustainability. John’s dedication is evident through his involvement in a range of initiatives, including Wahminda Grove Bushcare Group, which has been operating successfully for decades, and has actively participated in wildlife environmental audits.

John has been involved in the Kedron Brook Action Group, focusing on weed eradication. He actively participates in sustainability fairs, displaying visually appealing posters that showcase local lakes and water systems. John also takes initiative in organising Clean Up Australia Day events to help maintain a cleaner environment.

John actively promotes sustainability and conservation by raising awareness about climate change and resource depletion. He collaborated with a local science teacher to demonstrate energy consumption using a bicycle and generator. John also played a key role in promoting solar panels through informative displays and talks.

John actively contributes to Transition the Grove Inc., focusing on building local resilience and sustainability. As the webmaster and treasurer, he developed a comprehensive website that provides valuable local information. In 2022, he played a vital role in establishing Repair Cafe the Grove, which repairs a wide range of items to reduce waste.

  • Burt Beasley
  • Chen Chiu-Yen Melody Wang
  • David Kenneth Cope
  • Garry Ernest Fenner
  • Bobbie Foot
  • Heather Irvine
  • Professor Neville Alexander Marsh
  • Andrea Miller
  • John Purcell
  • Mark Smith
  • David Smithson
  • Karen Willis
  • Tracey Wyatt

Read about the Australia Day Achievement Award winners:

How to nominate

Nominations for the 2026 Lord Mayor's Australia Day Award will open in late 2025.

Follow our steps when making a nomination.

How to nominate
1 Tell us about the nominee

Outline why you think this person, organisation or event deserves the award in 200-1,000 words. You must include the number of years the nominee has been volunteering or the event has been running.

2 Prepare supporting information (optional)

You can provide up to 3 documents to support your nomination. Examples include personal references, photographs, samples of work, portfolios or news articles. 

3 Submit your nomination

You can submit a nomination online or via email. 

To submit via email, pick up a copy of the form from your local library, ward office or level 1 reception at Brisbane City Hall. Once completed, email the form to protocolandicivicevents@brisbane.qld.gov.au.

You can also nominate online.

Frequently asked questions

A judging panel reviews the nominations for the Lord Mayor’s Australia Day Awards. The judges’ decisions are final, and no further correspondence will be considered.

To be eligible for a Lord Mayor's Australia Day Award, nominees must reside within the boundaries of the Brisbane Local Government Area (LGA).

Additionally, their voluntary work or event must take place within the Brisbane LGA.