Heroes both celebrated and unsung nominated for Ipswich Australia Day
Published on 12 January 2026
Fifteen local heroes and three organisations have been named as finalists for the 2026 Ipswich Australia Day Awards.
The winners of the awards across six categories – Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Cultural Award, Sport and Recreation Award, and Community Group of the Year – will be announced at a ceremony on Wednesday, 21 January.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the renowned community spirit of Ipswich was reflected in the nominations.
“Whether they’re household names making headlines or unsung heroes quietly serving their community, the 2026 Ipswich Australia Day Award finalists have one thing in common – they inspire us,” Mayor Harding said.
“They inspire us by bringing people together or by dedicating their lives to helping those less fortunate than themselves. Each of them are ambassadors for our great city and have the respect and admiration of their communities, as proven by their nominations from fellow residents.
“This year attracted a very strong list of nominations, and I thank community members who put forward these inspirational citizens and organisations for recognition.”
Economic and Cultural Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Pye Augustine said the 2026 iteration of the awards had provided a strong list of finalists.
“The Ipswich Australia Day Awards are an annual celebration of the people who help make our city great,” Cr Augustine said.
“There are so many people doing wonderful things in Ipswich, so it’s important we recognise these amazing contributions to our communities.”
Finalists for the 2026 Ipswich Australia Day Awards
Citizen of the year
Yvonne Bell – Yvonne’s son began attending at Bremer State High School in 1989, sparking a 36-year involvement in the school community that has continued long after her youngest children, twin daughters, graduated in 1998. Yvonne has given countless hours to the school by serving in the textbook hire office, tuckshop, uniform shop and P&C, where she holds the role of vice-president.
Ali Brigginshaw – A vocal advocate for women’s sport, the proud Ipswich native is a four-time NRLW premiership winner, won the 2020 Dally M medal and has captained both the Queensland and Australia representative sides. Arguably the greatest ever women’s rugby league player, she will retire at the end of the 2026 season.
Helen Youngberry – Having established Goodna Street Life in 2015, Helen has supported hundreds of individuals and families doing it tough through the organisation’s many initiatives, including accommodation services, food relief, counselling, alcohol and drug addiction support and other services.
Senior Citizen of the Year
Yvonne Bell – Yvonne’s son began attending at Bremer State High School in 1989, sparking a 36-year involvement in the school community that has continued long after her youngest children, twin daughters, graduated in 1998. Yvonne has given countless hours to the school by serving in the textbook hire office, tuckshop, uniform shop and P&C, where she holds the role of vice-president.
Elizabeth Gough – Forty of Elizabeth’s 92 years have been spent volunteering with Lifeline Queensland, both with the crisis support phone line and, more recently, as a mentor to those working in the same field. Her contributions have included answering calls up to midnight from people navigating mental health challenges, grief and crisis situations.
Wendye and Barry Gratton – The wife and husband duo have been key figures in the Ipswich’s western suburbs community through involvement in Rosewood Historical Society, Marburg Residents Association, Black Snake Creek Festival, ANZAC Day events and Marburg Street Library. Wendye co-wrote a book on the history of coal mining in the Rosewood area.
Young Citizen of the Year
Gout Gout – As a 17-year-old, sprinter Gout broke the long-standing Australian men’s 200m record when he stopped the clock at 20.02 in Ostrava in June. He reached the World Championships semi-finals in Tokyo three months later before rounding out the year by helping Ipswich Grammar School to the GPS track and field title in his senior year.
Tomas Jendra – The Year 12 graduate led fundraising efforts for St Edmund’s College’s annual 115-kilometre charity bike ride, Skool 2 Schoolies, benefitting Ipswich Hospice and St Vincent de Paul Society. He is also an active member of the Ipswich Community Parish, excelled academically and in the sporting arena and has aspirations to become a pilot.
Harrison Rule – Another St Edmund’s College graduate, Harrison also participated in Skool 2 Schoolies, as well as raising funds for homelessness charity Down2Earth, volunteering at Meals on Wheels Ipswich and Sunday Combined College Mass and supporting mental health awareness at the school. He participated in Queensland Youth Parliament and council’s Ipswich Youth Advisory Council.
Cultural Award
Danielle Lennon – Fuelled by a love of the arts and teaching, Danielle founded and directs the Studio of Performing Arts in Springfield. The studio provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for children to mentally, physically and creatively develop through the performing arts, as well as pathways to professional opportunities and teaching accreditation.
Aunty Vera Short (posthumous) – A highly-respected First Nations elder, Aunty Vera passed away in November after a lifetime dedicated to improving outcomes for all people. She was the founder and former Chair of Leichhardt-One Mile Community Centre, which provides emergency relief and other services to community members. She was also involved in health, culture, sport and other areas.
Krystel Wilson – Krystel contributes to the vibrancy of Ipswich’s performing arts sector as Director of the thriving musical theatre group Fusion Arts Inc., while also serving as Music Convenor of the Ipswich Musical Eisteddfod – all while teaching at West Moreton Anglican College. Under her leadership, Fusion Arts nurtures young performers aged 5 to 18 through concerts, musicals and workshops.
Sport and Recreation Award
CJ Mulvogue – A long-time volunteer with Collingwood Park Power AFC, CJ has grown girls’ and women’s participation numbers at the club by 50 per cent. She is an Auskick volunteer, coach and Vice-President of junior teams at the Power and has worked to encourage multicultural involvement in the game.
Edward Scott – Edward is one of the leading figures in taekwon-do in Australia, as a 7th Dan Black Belt and a master instructor. He instructs high-level competitors as well as students, including those with disabilities. As an army veteran, he also supports members of the Australian Defence Force in the transition from military to civilian life.
Diane Sheppard – As the coach who plucked Gout Gout from obscurity and is nurturing him to global superstardom, Diane is known for providing mentorship and guidance to her stable of athletes not just on the running track, but in life.
Community Group of the Year
Blackstone-Ipswich Cambrian Choir – Going strong after 140 years, the organisation’s five choir groups bring joy to audiences with performances at local and regional eisteddfods, Christmas carol events, ANZAC Day services, memorial services, theatres and more. The senior choir is the reigning Queensland Eisteddfod grand champion.
Ipswich Men’s Shed – Not just a hub for men to come together to share skills, work on projects and provide mental health and wellbeing support, the Men’s Shed has donated to and fundraised for charities including the Salvation Army, Ipswich Hospice Care, Ipswich RSL Sub Branch, Ipswich Prostate Cancer Support Group, as well as community events.
Springfield Mo-Men – As well as raising more than $500,000 to support tackling of men’s health challenges in partnership with the Movember Foundation, the group has formed ties with local schools, businesses, clubs and organisations to promote mental and physical health.