FRIENDS and families gathered on Australia Day at the Rosewood State School Hall to acknowledge the nominees for the Rosewood Lions Citizen of the Year Award and the winner, Ian Luetchford.
Special guests on the day were Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden and Councillors Kate Kunzelmann and Russell Milligan.
Nominees Helen Hauser, Tanya Johnson, Pat Lenihan and Ian Luetchford were acknowledged for contributing to different organisations and community groups within the area.
Helen Hauser was nominated for her volunteer service with the Rosewood Uniting Church Goodwill Opportunity Shop where she spent countless hours ensuring the shelves were stocked and the doors remained open.
Pat Lenihan was nominated for his involvement with the St Brigid’s Catholic community, the Rosewood Show Society and for his lifetime service to the Rosewood community.
Tanya Johnson was nominated for her initiative in helping others within the Cabanda community and Rosewood State School and for organising the new footpath link at the Girl Guides hut in Rosewood.
Ian Luetchford was nominated for numerous roles in many community groups such as the Rosewood RSL, the Rosewood Lions, the Rosewood Scouts and Guides and the Catholic Church community.
Rosewood Lions President Ken Kuen congratulated all the nominees saying that volunteering was an important service that helped the community thrive.
“All the nominees have played an important role in their own ways within the community and it is a very special moment to acknowledge them,” he said.
“As President of the Lions I see the importance of everyday people coming together to work harmoniously to get things done.”
Certificates were presented to the nominees before Rosewood Lions Citizen of the Year co-ordinator Clyde Nicoll joined President Ken Kuen for the presentation of the Citizen of the Year Award to Ian Luetchford.
A huge round of applause was given to Ian as he was asked to address all in attendance.
Holding back his emotion, he expressed his gratitude while congratulating his fellow nominees.
“I truly could not have done this without the ongoing support of my wife Carmel, my family and my friends,” he said.
“It is a true honour, volunteering is something that I just love to do because of the feeling of satisfaction that it gives you.
“Helping others has always been something that I have enjoyed and to be able to do this with all of the groups that I have been involved in whilst having fun has made it especially enjoyable.”
