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The Banana Shire Council kept with tradition on January 26 by hosting an Australia Day Awards ceremony in Biloela.
In a brief statement BSC Mayor Neville Ferrier thanked the organising committee volunteers, sponsors, community groups and all who contributed and made the day a success.
“Six residents of our Shire proudly became Australian Citizens and winners of the Banana
Shire Australia Day Awards were announced,” Mr Ferrier said.
Citizen of the Year: Francis Moretti
Young
Volunteer of the Year: Loraine Hellyer
Cultural Award: Ashley Cook
Senior Sportsperson: Mel Collins
Community Group or Team: Biloela Netball Association Committee
Janessa Ekert Journalist I didnât always want to be a journalist. In fact, when I was younger my dream was to be an archaeologist â who wouldnât want to be like Indiana Jones? However, now that I am a journalist, I couldnât imagine doing anything else with my life.
I love listening to peopleâs stories and sharing them with others.
Iâm a Queenslander through and though. Mackay is the furthest south I have ever lived. Iâm an only child and I was raised in Airlie Beach.
My parents are former boaties; we lived on a 42 foot.
 Citizen of the Year: Dr Ian Cappe Dr Ian Cappe has lived in Lismore for 34 years and provided radiology services to Lismore Base Hospital throughout that time. He is currently the Clinical Director of Radiology and introduced interventional radiology and has provided highly specialised skills in this area, including in patient management resulting in minimal access removal of kidney stones.  Lismore City Council has named Dr Ian Cappe as its Citizen of the Year for his outstanding work including providing radiology services to Lismore Base Hospital throughout that time.  This has totally changed the management of Vascular Disease and kept Lismore in front of most other hospitals in the services that are available to our local population.
Mrs Jaenke was recognised for her contributions to the Somerset community that span more than six decades. Somerset Mayor Graeme Lehmann and Australia Day Ambassador Robert(Bob Atkinson) congratulate Somerset Citizen of the Year Patti Jaenke. Photo: Somerset Regional Council.
The official Somerset Australia Day Awards Ceremony was held at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk, and included an address by Australia Day Ambassador, Robert Atkinson AO APM.
Mr Atkinson worked with the Queensland Police Service for more than four decades including more than a decade as the Queensland Police Commissioner.
Somerset Mayor Graeme Lehmann said Patti always had a welcoming smile on her face and was only too happy to help anyone in need.