2017 Australia Day Awards announced

Published on 26 January 2017

Some of our Region’s most outstanding achievers, volunteers and sportspeople have been recognised at the 2017 Australia Day Awards Ceremony on Wednesday night.

Rockhampton Region Deputy Mayor Councillor Rutherford said the Awards Ceremony is always a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and highlight the incredible people in our community.   

“Every year we are always very honoured to receive nominations for these unsung heroes that enrich other people’s lives,” Cr Rutherford said.

“And one consistent theme among the nominations this year was that the recipients are quiet achievers and never seek any recognition for the incredible work they do.

“I am pleased to announce that our Citizen of the Year is Shirley Shannon, a tireless volunteer, a lady who is and has been a great motivator and influencer at the Cancer Council Queensland, Rockhampton Show Society and the Anglican Church.

“Our Young Citizen of the Year is Olympic Silver Medallist Alexander ‘Sasha’ Belonogoff; a young man who has done our Region and country so proud, and, since returning home from the Olympics, has taken the time to inspire our local primary school students who no doubt look up to him as their own hero.

“I express my sincere gratitude to all of our recipients who have achieved great things and given so much back to our community; they help make our Region a wonderful place to live, and I’m pleased to be able to give them the recognition they deserve,” she said.

As well as announcing our Region’s Australia Day award winners, the Rockhampton Regional Council also welcomed 116 new citizens at the first Citizenship Ceremony of the year.

2017 Australia Day Award Recipients:

 Shirley Shannon – Citizen of the Year

Alexander ‘Sasha’ Belonogoff – Young Citizen of the Year

Library Technology Centre Computer Training Team –Community Initiative Award

Erlinda Esguerra – Community Service Award

Susan Earle – Cultural Award

Peter Harth – Sportsperson of the Year