There was a full house for the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale’s Community Citizen of the Year awards and citizenship ceremony on Australia Day.
“As we gather here today, it’s a time to pause and reflect on the essence of the Aussie spirit,” Shire President Rob Coales said in his welcoming address.
“Australians are hard-working, we look out for each other, and we’re not afraid to take on big challenges.
“This spirit propels us forward in the face of adversity, whether its natural disasters, economic challenges or global pandemics.
“I’ve seen this spirit in our community who, when impacted by fires, come together and look after each other.
“Volunteers, who are motivated not by money or recognition, but by love for their mates.
“We’re a community to be proud of, we’re a shire that cares … and that is worth celebrating today and every day.”
Those in attendance eagerly waited to hear which champions of the community would receive the shire’s greatest annual honour.
And for the first time, there were two equally deserving recipients of the prestigious Clem Kentish Community Service Award: Ken Elliott and Helen Rowe.
Ken Elliott has dedicated an outstanding 50 years of service to the Keysbrook Volunteer Bushfire Brigade.
His leadership roles in fire safety and community initiatives, and his unwavering commitment to mentoring, preserving local heritage, and supporting community projects, make him a very worthy recipient.
In his speech, Ken noted it was a particular privilege to be receiving an award honouring the legacy of a bloke he personally knew and respected.
“Clem Kentish was one of the founding members of the Keysbrook community,” he said.
“And I remember him well. In later years I used to shear Clem’s sheep – he used to sit on his drum while I was shearing and point out that I was missing a bit here and there.
“He was a good old bloke and I’ve got a lot of respect for Clem, and it’s an honour to win this award.”
Helen Rowe was just as deserving of the win, for her decades of dedicated service to the community as an original volunteer with the SJ community policing program supporting vulnerable individuals, putting them in touch with support agencies, and introducing trauma teddies.
Helen was a founder of the Uniting Church Op Shop in Byford in 1984.
And she also continues to lead crisis care initiatives for the church, coordinating volunteers to assist those in need, and fostering collaboration across groups to provide vital goods and services.
The usually stoic Helen Rowe was so overcome by emotions at the honour that she kept her speech short and sweet.
“Thankyou to everyone who supports our group. I’m sorry, I’m just a bit overwhelmed right now,” she said.
Member for Darling Range Hugh Jones added his own personal tribute to Helen during his speech.
“Helen is hard as nails. She deals with all sorts of incidents day in day out, so to see her emotional today I was quite surprised. But it just goes to show how much energy she puts in every day in all that she does,” he said.
Bruce Hilliard received the Community Citizen of the Year award for his outstanding leadership, volunteer work, and dedication to improving the Darling Downs area as president of the Darling Downs Residents Assocation, including advocating for facilities, coordinating community projects, and supporting residents in need.
Margaret Ward was named the Senior Community Citizen of the Year for over 30 years of leadership, dedication, and advocacy in volunteer roles, including revitalising senior groups, fostering social connections, supporting local initiatives, and leading organisations through challenges with compassion and inclusivity.
Casey Nikola received the Young Citizen of the Year award for her dedication to supporting people with disabilities, going beyond her prescribed role to provide holistic assistance, connect clients with vital community services, and advocate for their independence and well-being.
The SJ Farmers Market received the Active Citizenship Award for its exceptional role as a community hub, fostering economic growth, sustainability, and social connection, while mentoring youth volunteers, supporting local producers, and inspiring the next generation of community leaders.
The ceremony also recognised organisation Homelessness We Care – Serpentine Jarrahdale and Surrounds and Ruth Igglesden, who received certificates of appreciation for the Active Citizenship Award and Senior Citizen of the Year Award, respectively.
“It’s wonderful to be living here in SJ isn’t it?” Ruth said.
“I just love it when I see the kindness that so many people give to so many others.”
Tod Bergersen was honoured with a National Medal First Clasp for 25 years of dedicated service to the Volunteer Bushfire Brigades.
And the Byford and Districts Rotary Club presented the Rotary Australia ‘Service Above Self’ Award to Jarrahdale’s First Lieutenant Belinda Briscoe for her decades of dedication as a firefighter.
After the awards, the shire welcomed 24 new citizens at the special citizenship ceremony. The newest conferees came from seven different nations, including Zambia, India, Fiji and the United Arab Emirates.
