Meet your Australia Day Awards nominees

Cue the drumroll: more than 100 incredible community champions have been nominated for the Sunshine Coast Australia Day Community Awards 2026.

These are the volunteers, dedicated groups, visionary leaders and quiet achievers going above and beyond for our community.

The Sunshine Coast Australia Day Community Awards will be held on Friday 23 January. 

Citizen of the Year nominees

• Katie Acheson
• Amy Anderson
• Andrew Boniface
• Rachel Connolly
• Shane Dimech
• Martin Duncan
• Tanya Hicks
• Wayne Hunt
• Danielle Lenord
• Kim McCosker
• Stephen Ossedryver
• Eric Parlato
• Chris Paterson
• Daevyd Rodda
• Selina Tomasich
• Anthony Waring
• Leigh Warneminde
• Abi Benaud and Zara Young

Senior Citizen of the Year

• Peter Bradford
• David Coles
• Noela de Jonge
• Lily Dickson
• Carole Goodman
• Basil Harris
• Richard and Vanessa Harvey
• Gail King
• Keith Lamprecht
• Peter Lloyd
• John Lyon
• Dr William (Bill) Meyers
• Hope O'Chin
• Roger Pearce
• Vicki Stewart
• June Upton
• Phil and Di Wilson
• Narelle Wockner
• Linda and Craig Young

Young Citizen of the Year

• Jessica Cronin
• Isabella Graham
• Kelsey Jones
• Imogene Nguyen
• Emily North
• Brylee Robinson

Community group or organisation

• 4 Paws Animal Rescue
• Australia Volunteer Coast Guard Association (QF6 Mooloolaba)
• Bamboo Projects
• Beerwah Community Spring Fair
• Buderim Mountain State School P&C
• Buderim VIEW Club
• Bula Mate Project
• Caloundra Arts Centre Association
• Caloundra Coast Guard
• Coolum Beach Meals on Wheels
• Coolum HeARTs
• Dads Group
• Deadly Coffee
• FESTURI Multicultural Festival
• Hair Aid
• Kairos Community College, Caloundra
• Little Sunny Coast
• Lookout07
• Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre
• Maroochydore State Emergency Service (SES)
• Mingary Care
• Mooloolaba Rotary Club
• Mooloolah Valley Community Association
• Night Eyes Water and Landcare
• Our Mate-Ship
• Peachester History Committee
• R&B Dance Fitness
• RangeCare
• Rise & Thrive Co.
• Sparkly Aliens Inc.
• Sporting Chance Foundation
• St Augustine's Opportunity Shop
• Sunshine Coast Beekeepers
• Sunshine Coast Netball Association
• Sunshine Coast Open House 2025
• Thai Community of Sunshine Coast
• The Beach Matters
• The Buderim Foundation
• The Eric Joseph Foote War Memorial Sanctuary Association
• The Everyday Store, Nambour
• The Pink Belles
• Trek Ready Himalayas
• University of the Third Age Sunshine Coast
• Veterans Wellbeing Foundation (VWF)

Creative Arts

• Aaron Borg
• Buddina Ocean Chair
• Leanne Dodd
• Stewart Elliott
• Carole Goodman
• Gretchen Keelty
• Kenilworth Arts Council
• Viera Keogh
• Little Sunny Coast
• Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra
• The Lind Theatre

Healthy and Active

• Craig Allingham
• Amy Anderson
• Bamboo Projects
• Can't See Jack
• Sharon Fulwood
• Gillian Ketting
• Lookout07
• Dr William (Bill) Meyers
• Motiv8sports Sunshine Coast
• R&B Dance Fitness
• RangeCare
• Vitor Souza
• Sporting Chance Foundation
• Sunshine Coast Beekeepers
• Sunshine Coast Riding for Disabled Australia
• The Parkinsons Centre

You can explore the inspiring stories of each of these nominees on Council's website.