Andrew Laming (Bowman, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health Services and Indigenous Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Each year in the 600 square kilometres of tranquil Brisbane coastline we call Redlands, we recognise outstanding residents through the annual Australia Day awards, which acknowledge high-achieving members of the community who have made outstanding contributions and given freely of their time, knowledge and enthusiasm to promote the wellbeing of our local area. I congratulate those who won awards this year.

The Citizen of the Year for 2010 was the late Michael Meehan, who served initially with the Royal Australian Navy and the fire service but moved to help kids with special needs and other young people. His achievements include setting up Special Kids Inc, which was a major supporter of Noah’s Ark, and he also opened the Redlands wheelchair and mobility aids bank. Michael secured around 50 wheelchairs, a range of walkers, crutches and other aids, all of which he stored in his shed. Schoolies prep camps were another of his innovations, taking Year 11 and 12 teenagers to the Gold Coast to teach them life skills and prepare them for schoolies. Michael had already been awarded the Queensland Local Hero Award. He had a severe disability and managed, despite that, to raise his two sons. We lost Michael this year, and it was a great loss to our community. He was a wonderful contributor throughout his life in Redlands.

Other nominees for Senior Citizen of the Year included Denis Alexander, Ron Bailey, Ian Busst, Belle Castles, Bruce E Green, John Jenkins, David Parr and Veronica Vayanos—congratualtions and thank you to them all.

The Local Hero Award in Redlands went to Tony Chapman. Tony volunteers at least three days a week at the Oakland Street community garden, which is accessed by the entire community including many with a disability. For over four years Tony has generously given his time and helped many people. His selfless acts have led to a wonderful community garden. Other nominees included Patricia Alldridge, Miriam Attwood, Dr Karen Barry, Penny Hewitt, Dean Booysen, Jan Desbrow, Pastor Ron Favaloro, Alan and Linda Harcourt from Redlands RSL, Ted Jones, Tracy Lowe, Rick Mackenzie, Dee McGuigan, Douglas McVicar, Mirian Morton, Dr Lynn Olivier, Don Palfrey, Tom Short, Robyn Tennant, Rosemary Tyndall, Les Warner, Catherine Williams, Rod Young and Lakis Zeniou.

Our Cultural Award had two winners—Terry Annesley has worked tirelessly in the performing arts area for the past 15 years, volunteering his time and talents at a range of events across Redlands; and for over 30 years Lewis Callow has enriched Redlands, and the arts sector in particular, specifically with his commitment to furthering the appreciation of choral and band music in the area.

There was a Special Recognition for Achievement at an International Level, and that went to Christopher Elves. In 2009, Christopher won an Emmy for composing the soundtrack to Animalia, the animated children’s adaptation of Graeme Base’s book. Christopher moved to Australia in 1995 and has written numerous scores and jingles for film and television. He is now one of Australia’s most well-known and awarded screen composers. Other nominees included actor Paul Bishop, songwriter Andrew Carins, baritone Andrew Collis, artist Brylee Langley, Scottish dancing’s Peter Ovenden and artist/photographer Narelle Renn.

Our Environmental Achievement Award went to Jack Jackson, the principal for the Stradbroke Wildlife Rescue Service. Jack is passionate about wildlife and plays a major role in saving animals on North Stradbroke Island. Other nominees included landscape architect Emma Baker, Councillor Debra Henry, Carmel Rackmann, our Moreton Bay researcher Dr Kathy Townsend, Russell Island’s Rod Young and of course the Stradbroke Wildlife Rescue Service.

The Sports Award went to our own Amanda Phillips, a weightlifter with a very impressive sporting career. She has represented Australia at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and at every Commonwealth Games since. She finished 11th in Delhi. Other nominees included Barbara Dowling and Pamela Tobiason, club stalwarts of the Redlands Australian rules football team, karate’s Glenn Irvine, beach volleyball’s Corey Leathart and of course swimming’s David Urquhart.

Finally the Community Organisation Award went to the Redlands State Emergency Service, which in 2009 was recognised as the Queensland SES unit of the year, with contributions made right across Queensland. They attended 50 storms in Redlands in 2009 and were involved in the Gap storm clean-up and the Ingham floods. This team is known for its innovative training programs, including an Australian first chainsaw trailer, which was invented and built by the team. We are a small community, a parochial community and great things are achieved in the area, one of the finest parts of Queensland.