WILLOWBANK Raceway volunteer David Reid won the Ipswich City Council 2024 Australia Day Sport and Recreation Award.
David’s passion for photography has resulted in his attendance and promotion of many Ipswich events.
Working voluntarily for Willowbank Raceway, he has been instrumental in driving attendance at drag racing events through his networking and photography, and enticing racers from not only Australia but worldwide.
He was one of the award winners across six categories at the ceremony hosted by the Council.
Community advocate Amanda Draheim was named the 2024 Ipswich Citizen of the Year.
Mrs Draheim is the president of the Riverview Neighbourhood Watch and is often the driving force in arranging community events such as the successful Muscle in Maculata.
Her kindness and compassion and dedication to keeping all residents connected was noted by the judges, qualities that came through during the COVID-19 pandemic when she delivered small care packages to residents.
Riverview Neighbourhood Watch was also named Community Group of the Year.
Finalists and winners in each category were selected by a five-person judging panel.
Tireless community volunteer Fay Ison was named Senior Citizen of the Year.
Mrs Ison has volunteered for various community groups in Ipswich through almost five decades, contributing to sporting club committees, Meals on Wheels, P&C committees and hospitals.
She moved to Ipswich in 1976 and began an amazing journey that would see her advocate, develop, support, and strengthen sport and support those in need.
Mrs Ison has earned a number of honorary life memberships and perpetual trophies, such as becoming an Honourary Life Member for Ipswich Netball in 2019.
Still volunteering for Meals on Wheels even now at 86 years old, she 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.
Queensland Youth Parliament 2023 Bundamba representative Louie Galman was awarded Young Citizen of the Year.
As the 2023 Youth Member, he 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 was appointed to be the Convener, Program Coordinator, MC and Speaker for the 2023 Filipino Australian Foundation Queensland Youth Leadership Training Program, which empowers 20 youth to become community leaders.
StoryArts Festival director Jenny Stubbs was awarded the Cultural Award (see story elsewhere in this edition).
