2026 Gladstone Region Australia Day Award winners announced

Published on 26 January 2026

Gladstone Regional Council has announced its 2026 Australia Day Awards recipients during a ceremony held last night at Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre.

Nine categories were awarded at the ceremony including Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Sport and Recreation, Young Peoples Sport and Recreation, Arts and Culture, Community Event, Community Volunteer Award, Mayor’s Community Champion Award and Mayor’s Young Community Champion Award.

The Gladstone Region also welcomed 76 new Australian citizens from 21 different countries including Bangladesh, India, Iran, New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and United Kingdom.

IMAGE: The Gladstone Region 2026 Australia Day Awards were held on Sunday 25 January.

Citizen of the Year was awarded to recently retired Queensland Police Service Inspector Darren Somerville, while Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to former Gladstone Region Youth Council member Ava Hetherington.

First Nations artist and local reverend, Jarrod Beezley received the Arts and Culture Award, The Old Station Flying Club received the Community Event Award for The Old Station Air Show, disability advocate Kate Dufty received the Community Volunteer Award, BITS Saints stalwart Brendan Clarke received the Sport and Recreation Award and junior athletics champion Milly Sharpe received the Young Peoples Sport and Recreation Award – the same award her brother Ethan received at the 2024 Awards.

Bev Fellows and Gloria Holmes received the Mayor’s Community Champion Award and Doug Hoffmann received the Mayor’s Young Community Champion Award.

2026 Australia Day Awards winners

Citizen of the Year: Darren Somerville

Young Citizen of the Year: Ava Hetherington

Sport and Recreation Award: Brendan Clarke

Young Peoples Sport and Recreation Award: Milly Sharpe

Arts and Culture Award: Jarrod Beezley

Community Event Award: The Old Station Air Show

Community Volunteer Award: Kate Dufty

Mayor’s Community Champion Award: Bev Fellows and Gloria Holmes

Mayor’s Young Community Champion Award: Doug Hoffmann.

Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett shared his congratulations and expressed gratitude towards all winners and nominees for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the Gladstone Region.

“I want to thank the winners and all 46 nominees as I know they take a lot of pride in our community and are consistently striving to make our region a better place,” Mayor Burnett said.

“I also want to thank the people who took time out to nominate a person or event for a 2026 Australia Day Award, as without their input we are unable to highlight the fantastic community contributions taking place throughout our region.”

Award Profiles

Citizen of the Year – Darren Somerville

IMAGE: Darren Somerville

Darren has dedicated more than 40 years to public safety through the Queensland Police Service, including 12 years as Patrol Inspector and Disaster Coordinator in Gladstone. A recipient of the Australian Police Medal in 2023, he has provided operational leadership, mentored officers at all levels and consistently focused on community needs. His practical approach has strengthened emergency response capability and improved safety across Central Queensland.

Nominees: Rio Ramos, Darren Somerville and Yvonne Thompson.

Young Citizen of the Year – Ava Hetherington

IMAGE: Ava Hetherington

Ava has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service. As Toolooa SHS Captain, she chaired meetings, coordinated events and represented her school. As Interact President, she grew membership and supported fundraisers for Cancer Council and RSPCA. Through Gladstone Region Youth Council, she proposed the Accessible Water Refill Station, adopted by Council, and contributed to the Sun Safe initiative. A Queensland Gymnastics representative, coach and judge, she also volunteers at Parkrun and performs with the TSHS Dance Troupe. Her awards include District and Regional Lions Youth of the Year, the Secondary Schools Citizenship Award and the ADF Long Tan Leadership Award.

Nominees: Phoebe Alderson, Ava Hetherington, Paige Cameron, Emily Masters and Ruby French.

Sport and Recreation Award – Brendan Clarke

IMAGE: Brendan Clarke

On the field, Brendan is a six-time Grand Final winner, multiple leading goal kicker and one of only nine players to reach 250 games. Off the field, he has coached, served as Vice President and now leads as President of BITS Saints AFC. A Life Member since 2023, Brendan helped deliver new change rooms and secure sponsorships to ensure the club’s future. His leadership continues to strengthen the community.

Nominees: Bill Boyle, Adrian Josefski, Catherine Wood, Brendan Clarke, Stacey Joseph, Mandy-Leigh Hackart and Rod Porteous.

Young Peoples Sport and Recreation Award – Milly Sharpe

IMAGE: Milly Sharpe

Milly represented Australia and finished ranked fourth globally for U18 women’s 10,000m race walk. Her season began with a win at a World Athletics event in Canberra, briefly earning World No. 1.

She went on to claim national titles on track and road, multiple state championships across 1500m to 10km, while breaking records. A member of the Australian racewalking squad, Milly balances elite sport with her studies and is a mentor for younger athletes.

Nominees: Hannah Balisnomo, Leah Burge and Grace Wright (Australian Acrobatic Gymnastics team selection), Dylan Goldsworthy, Shana Paterson, Hannah Balisnomo, Jacob Hoger, Milly Sharpe, Kayden Gibson and Nicholas Meiring.

Arts and Culture Award – Jarrod Beezley

IMAGE: Jarrod Beezley

Led by local First Nations artist Jarrod Beezley and his business Amarroo Kenna Art, which translates to ‘Beautiful River Art’, the 25th Anniversary Mural united creative directors and student artists to honour the history and spirit of Tannum Sands State High School. Recognised statewide through the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF) 2025 Creative Arts Competition, the project highlights artistic excellence while strengthening cultural pride, belonging and storytelling. This collaborative artwork, created by young people, is a lasting legacy reflecting who we are and the vibrant future we are building.

Nominees: Jarrod Beezley, Syed Quadri and Poppy Ware.

Community Event Award – The Old Station Air Show

IMAGE: The Old Station Air Show

The Old Station Air Show is Queensland’s only regional air show and the only event in Australia where spectators can access the airfield to inspect aircraft, meet pilots and enjoy joy flights. Organised entirely by 430 volunteers, the three-day event fosters inclusion and attracts over 11,000 visitors from across Australia and overseas. With 252 aircraft, heritage machinery, entertainment and market stalls, it showcases aviation alongside regional culture. Importantly, $150,000 was donated back to local not-for-profits and emergency services, delivering lasting community benefit.

Nominees: Coffee and Conversations organised by James Harris, Gladstone BBQ Festival organised by Brenton Shayler-Rouvray, Gladstone Mindcare Community Connect led by Bjay Wooldridge, Gladstone Multicultural Festival 2025, The Old Station Air Show and Workman’s Beach parkrun.

Community Volunteer Award – Kate Dufty

IMAGE: Kate Dufty

Kate is a regional accessibility advocate who chairs the Gladstone Disability Community Network, co-convenes Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) Gladstone peer support and serves on the Philip Street Communities and Families Precinct Advisory Board. She conducts accessibility audits for venues and tourism operators and helped launch the Australian Accessible Tourism Alliance in 2023. As an expert consultant in a pilot program with the Business Chamber of Commerce and QDN, she ensures lived experience drives meaningful change, reducing barriers and enabling full participation in community life.

Nominees: Bill Boyle, Kate Dufty, Julie Harris, Saiki Sister City Advisory Committee, Brendan Clarke, Gladstone Hospital Volunteers, Doug Hoffmann, Jade Sibley, Annette Vessey, John Cockburn, Chris Hall, Naomi-Jon Redshaw, Reg Sutton and Hannah Webb.

Mayor’s Community Champion Award – Bev Fellows and Gloria Holmes

IMAGE: Bev Fellows

Bev Fellows is a long-term volunteer in the Gladstone Region, contributing more than 40 years of dedicated community service. After growing up in Monto, she moved to Gladstone in 1969, where she raised her family and became deeply involved in local initiatives. Bev has supported the arts for decades through Friends of the Theatre at the Gladstone Entertainment and Convention Centre. She has volunteered extensively with Dolphin Sea Scouts and other Scout units, including fundraising and treasurer roles, and has served on the Saiki Sister City Advisory Committee for 20 years. Her service includes Rotary, Foodbank, Gladstone Harbour Festival activities and the Zonta Club of Gladstone, where she was recognised as a “Living Treasure” at the 2024 Gladstone International Women’s Day Breakfast.

IMAGE: Gloria Holmes

Gloria Holmes is a long-term volunteer in the Gladstone Region, contributing her time and energy to a range of community, arts and service-based organisations. She has been actively involved with Friends of the Theatre, supporting performing arts and cultural events at the Gladstone Entertainment and Convention Centre, and has been publicly recognised for her service through this program. Gloria has also participated in Rotary-supported initiatives, including community clean-ups and practical improvement projects, and contributed to Rotary Club of Gladstone Sunrise activities. Her volunteering extends to The Shelter Collective and other local initiatives. Known for her reliable, behind-the-scenes support, Gloria is valued for her strong community spirit and consistent willingness to help wherever needed.

Mayor’s Young Community Champion Award – Doug Hoffmann

IMAGE: Doug Hoffmann

Doug, Chairperson of the Gladstone Region Youth Council, consistently goes above and beyond. He has represented Youth Council at multiple events, led the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up, supported the Vibe and Stride event at East Shores and assisted a young person with dysgraphia to ensure inclusion. He builds strong relationships with schools and community members, initiates collaborations and creates promotional content in his own time. His initiative and care inspire peers and strengthen youth engagement.

Visit Gladstone Regional Council's Facebook or YouTube pages to view the live stream of the 2026 Gladstone Region Australia Day Awards.