2025 Australia Day Awards
Local heroes celebrated across the Maranoa at the 2025 Australia Day Awards Ceremonies.
The 2025 Australia Day Awards saw citizens from across the Maranoa region come together to celebrate local heroes and outstanding community contributions in ceremonies held in Roma, Injune, Surat, Wallumbilla, and Mitchell.
Maranoa Regional Council received 155 nominations for its annual awards, designed to celebrate the people and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to the wider Maranoa community.
Awards are presented in each category for each region within the Maranoa, with the awards presented at local ceremonies on Australia Day 2025.
In 2025, Maranoa Regional Council presented 36 awards to local volunteers, community groups and outstanding individuals across the region and welcomed seven new Australian citizens.
The Australia Day ceremonies were also joined by six Australia Day Ambassadors who shared their unique stories of achievement that has seen them recognised in the Australian awards.
Mayor Wendy Taylor said the Australia Day Awards are about “recognising the hard work, spirit and contributions of everyone who helps shape our community.
“We respect that this day may mean different things to each of us, shaped by our experiences but celebrating the achievements of the Maranoa people is how we come together.”
The award ceremonies concluded with the cutting of the Australia Day cake marking the start of the afternoon celebrations.
Locals gathered to enjoy a variety of Australia Day activities in their town including BBQs, giant waterslides, pool games, a beach volleyball tournament, live music, and food stalls.
2025 Australia Day Award Winners
Citizen of the Year
Wallumbilla & Surrounds – Heather Price
Injune & Surrounds – Debbie Duff
Mitchell & Surrounds – Sheryn Hanna
Roma – Elizabeth Nolan
Surat & Surrounds – Mel Sutton
Young Achievers Award
Wallumbilla & Surrounds – Payton Leahy
Mitchell & Surrounds – Bray Kenafake
Roma – Georgia Pearce
Surat & Surrounds – Jesseeca Ward
Community Organisation Award
Wallumbilla & Surrounds – Jackson CWA – 100 year Celebration
Mitchell & Surrounds – Mitchell Amateur Swimming Club Inc
Roma – Roma Park Run
Surat & Surrounds – The Cobb & Co Festival
Cultural Award
Wallumbilla & Surrounds – Billa Bite Night – Wallumbilla Long Table Dinner
Injune & Surrounds – Creative Injune Inc
Mitchell & Surrounds – Booringa Heritage Museum
Roma – Sculptures Out Back Committee
Surat & Surrounds – Gwenda Proud
Sports Award
Wallumbilla & Surrounds – Jed Price
Injune & Surrounds – Jayden Wilson
Mitchell & Surrounds – Kayleen Silvester
Community Contribution Award
Wallumbilla & Surrounds – Trishelle Swan
Injune & Surrounds – Lyndal Nicol
Mitchell & Surrounds – Seamus Filan
Roma – Paul Hutchinson
Surat & Surrounds – Jake Thompson
Andrea Murray Memorial Award Recipient
Karly Cicero (Awarded in Mitchell this year)
Spirit of Maranoa
Wallumbilla & Surrounds – Bruce Albeck
Injune & Surrounds – Pam Girle
Mitchell & Surrounds – Kaitlyn Pallisier
Roma – Mary Johnson and Glenda Hacker
Surat & Surrounds – Kelly Cavanough