Mabel Quakawoot at has been named 2021 Citizen of the Year. Mackay Australia Day Awards Gala Dinner. Picture: Tara Miko  If he s the measure of our next generation of adults, Mackay is in safe hands.  Young Citizen of the Year Emmett Withers started his charity Emmett 4 Animals when he was five years old and has gone on to help thousands of stray animals across the region. The other heartwarming moment of the night was hearing from last year s Lori Burgess Community Volunteer Award Kathryn Andrews. Speaking eloquently and passionately, she talked about how the disability sector, like many of us, had to find a way to explain the lockdown to their clients and find ways to maintain contact while we were in isolation.
Mackay s 2021 Citizen of the Year Mabel Quakawoot has been many things to many people - an active citizen, an educator, a mentor and volunteer. Her tireless efforts for the community were recognised at a gala dinner at the MECC on Monday night. Young Citizen of the Year went to Emmett Withers and the Lori Burgess Community Volunteer Award winner was Russell McLennan. Emmett Withers began his charity Emmett 4 Animals when he was five years old and has gone on to help thousands of stray animals across the region. Russell McLennan works tirelessly behind the scenes at Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay, having been involved with the group since 1977.