Inspirational heroes recognised at 2024 Ipswich Australia Day Awards
18 January 2024
Six remarkable recipients have been announced as winners in the 2024 Ipswich Australia Day Awards, with Riverview resident Amanda Draheim named the 2024 Ipswich Citizen of the Year.
Mrs Draheim and other award finalists and winners were honoured on Wednesday, 17 January, at the 2024 Ipswich Australia Day Awards.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding congratulated all the finalists and winners, recognising their dedication and service to their community.
“Whether helping others for decades, or just starting out in their journey of service, each of the finalists are a shining example of the kind of community we all aspire to be,” Mayor Harding said.
“From Amanda and Fay to Louie, Jenny and David, their many acts of service help to connect, inspire, and sustain our city.
“They are the fabric that holds us together. And Ipswich, quite simply, would not be the same without them.
“It is my honour to congratulate all 21 finalists in this year’s awards, and especially to acknowledge our six very worth winners.”
There were 35 nominations across the six categories in the 2024 Ipswich Australia Day Awards.
Finalists and winners in each category were selected by a five-person judging panel.
Community, Culture, Arts and Sport Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Fechner said the awards acknowledged the efforts and contributions of all 21 finalists.
“Each year, the task gets harder and harder for the judging panel to select just one winner in each category from the selection of extraordinary nominees,” Cr Fechner said.
“My sincere congratulations to all who have been nominated. Ipswich is made better every day thanks to your efforts, and your community spirit is inspiring to us all.”
The winners of this year’s Ipswich Australia Day Awards are:
Citizen of the Year Award: Amanda Draheim
President of the Riverview Neighbourhood Watch, Amanda volunteers many hours each week to the community and is often the driving force in arranging community events such as the successful Muscle in Maculata. Amanda’s energy and tenacity means she regularly achieves great outcomes for the Riverview community through her advocacy for the suburb and dedication to keeping all residents connected. An example of Amanda’s dedication to her community was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when she delivered small care packages to residents which included tea bags and a lovely note. She is always thinking of new ways to keep her community connected, understanding that seniors and those who are isolated need to know that they have someone to lean on. Amanda is a friend to everyone, and her kindness and compassion is evident from the first moment you meet her.
Senior Citizen of the Year: Fay Ison
Through almost five decades of volunteering within the Ipswich community, Fay has contributed to numerous sporting club committees, Meals on Wheels, P&C committees, hospitals and more. Fay moved to Ipswich in 1976 and began an amazing journey that would see her advocate, develop, support, and strengthen sport to the betterment of the community and support those in need. Fay has had a long-lasting impact on the lives of many players who have participated in local, regional, state, and national levels in netball, softball and rugby league. She has successfully raised the profile and participation of women in rugby league, locally and beyond. Her commitment to a lifelong journey of volunteering is evidenced in multiple honourary life memberships and perpetual trophies in her honour, such as becoming an Honourary Life Member for Ipswich Netball in 2019. Still volunteering for Meals on Wheels even now at 86 years old, Fay has been a driving force for Woman’s Royal Australian Airforce, school committees, and child safety initiatives, as well as coordinating packages for overseas soldiers and knitting countless animal pouches, beanies and blankets for those less fortunate.
Young Citizen of the Year: Louie Galman
As the 2023 Youth Member for Bundamba in the Queensland Youth Parliament (QYP) Louie successfully passed a "Nurturing our Nutrition" Youth Bill. He represented Australia at the 2022 Children’s General Assembly, and serves on the 2023 Ipswich Youth Advisory Council. Louie is a Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) Student Voice (SV) Peer Mentor, co-designing the annual Student Voice Festival of Ideas and making substantial contributions to mental health awareness initiatives. Louie was appointed to be the Convener, Program Coordinator, MC and Speaker for the 2023 Filipino Australian Foundation Queensland (FAFQ) Inc. Youth Leadership Training Program, which empowers 20 youth to become community leaders. Louie performs saxophone at numerous multicultural festivals throughout Ipswich, winning second place at the Stanthorpe Busking Competition.
Cultural Award: Jenny Stubbs
Director of the StoryArts Festival Ipswich since its inception in 1995, Jenny has led the development of children’s literature in Ipswich through the festival’s national attraction while supporting local authors and illustrators. Jenny has has won the Dromkeen Librarians Award, The Johnno Award presented by the Queensland Writers Centre, The Dame Annabelle Rankin award for distinguished services to children’s literature by the Children's Book Council of Australia Queensland branch, and this year was presented with the Nan Chauncy Award for her services to children’s literature in Australia. Jenny is the coordinator of the Ipswich District Teacher-Librarian Network which produces a book of resources for schools to celebrate Children’s Book Week. This generates income to support their projects such as the StoryArts Festival Ipswich, authors in schools visits, the Story Sports competition, and a team writing competition, delivered in partnership with Ipswich Libraries. Along with organising authors visits’ for the StoryArts Festival Ipswich, Jenny then volunteers to drive visiting interstate authors to schools during their week long visits.
Sport and Recreation Award: David Reid
Dave Reid’s passion for photography has seen him attend and promote many Ipswich events. Working voluntarily for Willowbank Raceway, he has been instrumental in driving attendance at drag racing events in Ipswich through his networking and photography, and enticing racers from not only Australia but worldwide. Dave volunteers across a variety of charity events in Ipswich including Lisa’s Lunch. In particular, Dave works tirelessly to promote men's mental health and support the homeless in Ipswich. Described as having ‘the heart of a lion’, Dave is known for giving everything he has to drag racing and his community in Ipswich.
Community Group of the Year Award: Riverview Neighbourhood Watch
Launched in 1988, Riverview Neighbourhood Watch represents residents to help improve the quality of life for people of all ages, religions and cultural backgrounds by encouraging interaction and community. They are actively involved in council projects like Beautiful Ipswich, host community events and have walkers who pick up rubbish and also a source of suburban news. Connecting people in their community including schools, sports groups, childcare centres, community services, businesses is one of the main roles they play. While acknowledging the challenges facing the suburb, Riverview Neighbourhood Watch have built pride in an eclectic and engaged community. They have also delivered important education and resources to support their community, such as bike safety days where they help kids learn about road signs.