Read about members of the Rotary family in our district honoured with Australian or local awards on Australia Day 2024.

Congratulations on behalf of District Governor Prath and the whole of Rotary District 9560 to the Rotarians and honorary Rotarians in our District who were recognised for their dedication and commitment to their local communities through either local awards, or Australia Day Honours, on Australia Day 2024. 

Awarded a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division were:

• Councillor Janet Louise Clifford PHF - Rotary Club of Airlie Beach - for service to the community through a range of organisations. Jan plays an active and lead role in national, state and local organisations, including the Australian Local Government Women's Association; the National Rural Women's Coalition; Australian Local Government Women's Association Queensland; Whitsunday Regional Council - Division 1 Councillor since 2008; Whitsunday Housing Company and several other local organisations. 

• Mr Colin Francis Meng - Rotary Club of Mackay West - for service to the community through a range of organisations.

• Mrs. Carmel Murdoch - Honorary Member, Rotary Club of Maryborough Sunrise - for service to the community of Maryborough. Carmel has been a passionate Ambassador for Maryborough for over 25 years in her roles as Mary Heritage, Mary Poppins and Mary Widow to name a few. Carmel is offering her knowledge of Maryborough Markets to assist Fraser Coast Rotary Events to run Maryborough Markets each week.

Local Australia Day Awards

Area 1 - Northern Territory

Rotary Club of Litchfield/Palmerston services two local government areas, so the club won not one, but two Australia Day Awards for the club's "Eat Up Project":

• Litchfield Council: Australia Day Community Event of the Year 2024
• City of Palmerston: Australia Day Community Event of the Year 2024

The Rotary Club of Litchfield/Palmerston Club was definitely on a winning streak, as its "Eat Up" Project was also acknowledged with two other awards during December: 

Northern Territory Human Rights Awards 2023: The Fitzgerald Youth Award Organisation: Presentation held on Thursday 7 December 2023

Northern Territory Community Achievement Awards 2023: Winner of the Community Group of the Year Award: Presentation held on Friday, 8 December 2023.

Congratulations on your ongoing commitment to this project and your community.

To read more about the club's Eat Up Project, refer to these two previous articles published in previous editions of our District newsletter: 

• https://hail.to/rotary-district-D9560/article/N1rrM4E
• https://hail.to/rotary-district-D9560/article/2IaPuJ2 

Area 2 - Far North Queensland

• Mareeba Shire Council Citizen of the Year - Natasha Shroj - Rotary Club of Mareeba

• Mareeba Shire Council Community Event of the Year - Rotary Club of Mareeba's "Merry Mareeba and Carols by Candlelight".  

Area 5 - Rockhampton Area

Livingstone Shire Council Community Award winner is Peta Bosomworth, President, Rotary Club of Yeppoon. Peta is an experienced senior teacher in a local primary school. She has a passion for the community and demonstrates this through volunteering her spare time at work running many extra curricula activities for students and mentoring staff, as well as her various volunteer roles within multiple local community organisations.

Peta has mentored and been a positive role model for new Rotary members, sports trainers, players, coaches, teachers, students and broader community members as she volunteers her time, being visible across many areas of our community.

Rockhampton Regional Council Certificate of Commendation – Henry Boswood, Rotary Club of North Rockhampton (and previously Rockhampton South Club).

For nearly 49 years, Henry has dedicated himself as a member of Rotary, tirelessly working behind the scenes to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Henry has also devoted himself to various projects, on a local and international scale and remains an active member of the North Rockhampton Rotary Club.

Area 7 - Bundaberg/Maryborough Area

Fraser Coast Regional Council Australia Day 2024 Cultural Award winners are Willy and Di Paes, Honorary Members of Rotary Club of Maryborough-Sunrise. Willy and Di Paes have given outstanding service to their community over many years, with mural painting, backdrops, pavement art, community participation and willingness to help. Willy is an artist and designed and carved the main pole of the Club’s Peace Poles.

Editor's Note: A number of Australia Day Award ceremonies in Areas 3 and 4 were postponed due to TC Kirrily. Any Rotarians who receive awards in these postponed ceremonies will be acknowledged in the March newsletter.