Celebrating true community spirit at the 2025 Livingstone Shire Australia Day Awards!
Livingstone Shire Council celebrated the exceptional contributions of local residents and organisations at the 2025 Australia Day Awards held today (Friday 24 January) at Yeppoon Town Hall.
The event honoured individuals whose tireless efforts and dedication make Livingstone Shire a vibrant and inspiring place to live.
Citizen of the Year recipients Kay and Denis Ratcliffe were recognised for their decades of tireless service, contributing countless hours each week to fundraising initiatives and projects supporting young people.
Young Citizen of the Year Danielle Armstrong was also honoured for her exceptional leadership as 2024 School Captain of Yeppoon State High School, where she represented her school and community with pride and distinction.
Mayor Adam Belot said these awards celebrate the heart and soul of our community – people who give selflessly to make Livingstone a better place.
“With 20 incredible nominations this year, choosing the winners was no easy task, as every nominee represents the very best of community spirit,” Mayor Adam Belot said.
“Always humble in their efforts, these nominees embody the true spirit of giving without seeking recognition.”
Chair of the Australia Day Advisory Committee, Councillor Andrea Friend emphasised the importance of recognising local legends.
“Acknowledging their contributions not only celebrates their achievements but inspires others to get involved in shaping our community,” Cr Friend added.
Special awards included the Mayoral Award presented to Jason Field for leading the Emu Park Senior Rugby League Team to its first grand final victory in 2024, and a recognition from MP Nigel Hutton to Robert Batalin for his 15 years of dedicated volunteering with the Queensland Police Service.
Local SES volunteer Brad Haynes was also honoured with an Australia Day Achievement Award, presented by the SES, for his extraordinary service over the past year.
Co-Chair of the Recreation and Culture Committee, Councillor Lance Warcon and event emcee concluded: “Today’s celebration reminds us of the strength and resilience of our community and the amazing people who lead the way.”
The 2025 Australia Day Award recipients are as follows:
Group/organisation nominations
Community - Haynes Family – Stanage Bay
The Haynes Family are the hub of the small coastal fishing and crabbing town, Stanage Bay. Being the only store in town, their essential services are vital as the closest town is Rockhampton which is a two-hour drive away.
Maree along with her husband Bevan, and son Brad work tirelessly full-time and son Josh works part time.
They work from 7am until late, seven days a week. They do all they can to support their community with the goal of a peaceful town where community members and visitors can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet tranquillity that a small coastal town offers.
Environment - Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre P&C
The Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre P&C Association (KIEEC P&C) coordinates a cohort of 25 members who all volunteer their time to protect and enhance the natural environment of the Island as well as building the Centre's capacity to deliver accessible and inclusive environmental education for the hundreds of school children who attend the Centre.
All these activities are designed to provide students with a learning environment that is sustainable, bio-secure, and closer to its natural state. As well as on-island activities the Association has delivered 342 volunteer hours towards community-based activities that raise awareness of the Centre's vision of inclusive, accessible and sustainable environmental education.
Through its fund-raising activities in 2024, the Association has provided the Centre with water cooler stations ($27,426) and a remote rescue stretcher ($5000).
Arts and Culture – Sing For Health
Sing for Health has been conducted each week since March 2018 in the Capricorn Coast Uniting Church, Lorikeet Avenue Yeppoon. At Sing for Health, we address the well-being for individuals facing the challenges of disabilities, ageing, dementia and Parkinson’s Disease.
Their mission is to create a nurturing space where music becomes a powerful catalyst for health, connection, and happiness.
The program offers breathing and memory exercises, singing of songs that our clients grew up with and social contact through the singing connection and the morning tea provided.
Parkinson's people find breathing and speaking much easier after they have been to Sing for Health. Young people with disabilities also enjoy their time at Sing for Health.
For those grappling with dementia, music and singing is a bridge to memories, emotions, and identity.
Sport and Recreation - Capricorn Coast Toy Library
The Capricorn Coast Toy Library opened in January 2024 and is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Yeppoon, run by volunteers.
Currently 60 families are members and contribute by volunteering to keep the library operational. The library opens twice a week for two-hour borrowing sessions and houses over 700 toys, including dollhouses, scooters, science and maths toys, board games and even a very popular roller coaster.
By borrowing from the toy library, families can swap toys as their children grow, explore new stages and interests, and embrace a more sustainable way to play. In 2024, many volunteers dedicated hundreds of hours to cataloguing, labelling and shelving the donations, while various community groups, businesses and families made generous contributions to help establish the library.
Business/Innovation/Corporate Social Responsiblity - JRT Group
Family owned and operated for over 20 years, the JRT Group has shown a passion and a dedication to the community they serve, not simply as one of the premier civil contracting companies in CQ, but to build the community in which they and their employees live in.
Whilst JRT deliver significant projects within the Livingstone Shire, they have never forgotten their grass roots and where they began.
By sponsoring community events, organisations, charitable initiatives, and local sporting teams, they aim to strengthen the community, foster opportunities for future generations to thrive in the region, and ensure their employees and their families have access to diverse sporting and cultural activities.
Individuals Nominated
Sport and Recreation - Elissa Rosemond
Elissa is passionate about representing and encouraging women and children in the region to participate in the unique sport of Archery.
A sport that teaches patience, co-ordination and self-confidence while enjoying the natural beauty and wonder of the Central Queensland outdoors that we have in abundance.
As a Founding Member of this club formed over five years ago, just like in any start up organisation, she has worn many hats, held many roles and delivered a range of outcomes.
Her time and commitment is purely volunteer-based, and is always happy to help after hours of making arrows up and tuning bows in ready for the range.
She has been fortunate to work hard at the sport and win ABA Bow Shot Records 2019,2020,2021) and Female BowHunter of the Year for past seven years.
I am also one of the few women in Australia to be inducted into the Australia Archery Museum.
Environment – Maryanne Smith
In 2024, Maryanne has proven herself to be an inspirational role model in the Livingstone Shire community through her unwavering dedication to environmental sustainability and her proactive approach to mentoring and inspiring others.
Her leadership, passion for nature, and commitment to community-driven conservation efforts have made a significant impact on both individuals and local groups.
Her hands-on approach inspires others to get involved and helped create a sense of shared responsibility for the environment.
Additionally, her leadership in organising local clean-up days and educational outreach initiatives has further established her as someone who is not only knowledgeable but also actively engaged in making a tangible difference.
Community – Kim Newcombe
Kim's dedication to the community is truly inspiring. A steadfast member of SES Yeppoon since 2002, Kim has exemplified selflessness and leadership, particularly in the roles of Deputy Group Leader from 2017 to 2023 and Acting Group Leader in 2023.
Her extensive service reflects a profound commitment to ensuring the safety and resilience of her community during times of crisis.
Throughout her remarkable career, Kim has played pivotal roles in numerous emergency operations, including leading field efforts during disasters such as Tropical Cyclones Ului, Yasi, Marcia, Debbie, and Kirrily, as well as the devastating Townsville floods and bushfires in Farnborough, Bungundarra, and Byfield.
Her expertise has extended to national crises, including the 2019 bushfires and the Logan Flood Recovery in 2022, showcasing her ability to respond effectively and compassionately to events of varying scales.
Kim's achievements are reflected in her accolades, including the Commissioner's Commendation Certificate (2022), the Meritorious Service Medal for 10, 15, and 20 years of service, and the National Emergency and National Medals (2011, 2019, 2017) for her outstanding dedication. Her commitment to fostering future generations is equally noteworthy through her role as an Adult Leader and Local Cadet Coordinator in 2024, empowering young individuals with the skills and knowledge to contribute to their communities.
Arts and Culture – Lindsay Palmes
Lindsay, Vice President of the Yeppoon Choral Society (YCS), has made significant contributions to the Livingstone Shire community through his dedication to arts, music, and community support.
As Vice President, Lindsay chairs committee meetings and has held this leadership role for several years. His love for music and belief in its power to bring people together fuels his tireless efforts. Lindsay sees every event and production as an opportunity to enrich lives, nurture talent, and build stronger connections among community members.
Through his work with the Yeppoon Choral Society, Lindsay has helped create memorable performances that uplift audiences and support local causes.
His leadership in major productions, coordination of charity concerts, and collaboration with groups like the Lions Club and Scouts have raised significant funds and strengthened community networks. His mentoring ensures that younger generations learn valuable skills and gain confidence, leaving a lasting legacy for the region.
Livingstone Shire Young Citizen of the Year 2025 – Danielle Armstrong
Dannielle, the 2024 School Captain of Yeppoon State High School, has exemplified the values of Spirit, Teamwork, Accountability, and Respect through her outstanding leadership and contributions both within the school and in the wider community.
As School Captain, she led events such as the Yeppoon State High School ANZAC march and collaborated with the Student Action Group on various fundraising initiatives.
Her dedication has made her a pillar of the school’s international programs, where she served as a buddy to visiting students from the sister school in Saitama, Japan, assisting them with English and introducing them to Australian culture.
Her efforts have not only strengthened cultural connections but also showcased her role as an international ambassador for Yeppoon State High School and the broader community.
In addition to her leadership, Dannielle’s artistic abilities shine through her performances in musical productions like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2023) and The Little Mermaid (2024).
Through her multifaceted contributions, Dannielle has left a lasting impact on her school and community, setting a standard of excellence and leadership.
Livingstone Shire Citizen of the Year 2025 – Kay and Denis Ratcliffe
Kay and Denis exemplify community spirit through their tireless dedication, collectively volunteering over 1000 hours in 2024 alone.
Denis serves in roles such as OktoberFest Coordinator, Club President, Safety Officer, Livingstone Shire Disaster Representative, and Emu Park RSL Treasurer, while Kay contributes as Emu Park Lions Club Events Secretary, Festival of the Wind Coordinator, and on various committees including Bell Park Market and Konomie P&C.
Together, they have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity, championing projects that benefit young people and the wider Livingstone Shire community, embodying the best of selfless service.