Australia Day
Australia Day
On Australia Day, we reflect on our history, its highs and its lows.
We respect the stories of others.
And we celebrate our nation, its achievements and most of all, its people.
Community members, friends, families and visitors are invited to attend the Banana Shire’s Australia Day Celebrations to be held at QLD Heritage Park, Biloela from 7.00 am on Wednesday 26th January. The celebrations kick off with a FREE Poets Breakfast followed by the official Awards Ceremony.
Join us as we celebrate Australia Day in true Aussie style. Dress up in your best Aussie outfit or decorate a hat with an Aussie theme to win a prize. Try your luck at lamington eating competitions, sack races, the great thong toss and wheelbarrow competitions. Keep the kids happy and cool off with plenty of water activities.
Entertainment includes Freestyle Motocross demo’s where you will see some great tricks put together by the Motorcross team, scrumptious food stalls with something for everyone, ice-creams, coffee, live music, and lots of fun for the whole family.
The Banana Shire Council’s Australia Day awards acknowledge and celebrate the contribution and success of individuals and groups within the Banana Shire who have made significant contributions and achievements.
2022 Banana Shire Australia Day Celebrations & Awards Nominees
The 2022 Banana Shire Australia Day Celebrations will be hosted by the Biloela Community at the Queensland Heritage Park on Wednesday 26th January.
The celebrations will commence at 7.00am with a free Poets Breakfast, followed by the official Awards Ceremony and a day of Aussie themed entertainment.
The Banana Shire Council’s Australia Day awards acknowledge and celebrate the contribution and success of individuals and groups within the Banana Shire who have made significant contributions and achievements. These awards provide Council with the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the local individuals and organisations who have made a significant contribution to the community.
Recipients of the awards will be announced by Mayor Nev Ferrier at 9.00am at our official Australia Day celebrations on 26th January at Queensland Heritage Park.
Entertainment includes Freestyle Motocross demo’s, food stalls, live music, water activities for kids, and lots of fun for the whole family.
Banana Shire Council received 22* nominations across nine categories for the 2022 Banana Shire Australia Day Awards.
The categories include:
- Volunteer of the Year
- Citizen of the Year
- Young Citizen of the Year
- Sports Coach Official and/or Administrator
- Cultural
- Junior Cultural
- Community Group or Team
- Community Event of the Year
- Junior Sportsperson
No nominations were received for Senior Sportsperson.
Nominees include:
- Aileen Trace
- Anne Goodland
- Jen Gourley
- Ann Hobson
- Robert Price
- Caitlin Boothby
- Nick Ein
- Paul Quarmby
- Sheree Adcock
- Susan Cook
- Lucy Johnston
- Rotary Club of Biloela
- Taroom Theatre Restaurant
- Twin Valleys Motorcycle Club
- Wowan Sports Club
- Walking Together with the Star of Taroom
- The Star of Taroom
- Corey Mellor
- Kobi Symes
- Mitchell Hay
- Tyler Seagrott
*multiple nominations have been received for some nominees
Australia Day 2022 Photography Competition
This year, the Banana Shire Council will be hosting the Australia Day Photography Competition via social media, allowing residents of the Shire easy access to participate. Simply read the brief by clicking here, upload your image to our social media outlets (Facebook and Instagram) and follow the guidelines to enter. It's that easy!
Where Are They Now?
Below we are showcasing previous Australia Day Awards recipients as part of our ‘Where Are They Now?’ campaign to demonstrate the value the Awards Program brings to our community. Follow the stories to read about all of the things our homegrown heroes have achieved since winning their awards.
Click on the images below to read more about each award recipient:
Australia Day 2022 - Biloela
Each year the official Banana Shire Australia Day celebrations are hosted in a different town throughout the Banana Shire on Australia Day, 26 January. Banana Shire Council works with this community to host the Australia Day Awards ceremony and a fun day out for families.
In 2022 the Biloela community will host the Shire's official Australia Day celebrations. Keep an eye out for advertising as the details for this event are confirmed. All nominees are invited to attend the Awards ceremony and will be recognised for their nomination with a certificate.
Australia Day 2021 - Banana
Congratulations to the Banana Community on hosting the official 2021 Banana Shire Australia Day celebrations at the Banana Sports and Recreation Grounds.
Click here to view 2021 Award Winners
Click here to view a list of all 2021 Nominees
Click here to view Summaries of 2021 Nominees and Winners
Above: 2021 Citizen of the Year Francis Moretti and Mayor Nev Ferrier
Above: 2021 Young Citizen of the Brooke Hay and Mayor Nev Ferrier
Australia Day Awards
Each year Banana Shire Council hosts the Australia Day Awards to recognise the exceptional contributions, leadership and achievements within the Shire. Nominations are now open for the 2022 Banana Shire Australia Day Awards.
- Nominations may be submitted by individuals, groups or organisations. Self-nominations are also accepted.
- Nominations are received via the dedication nomination form, available for download below.
Key Dates
Nominations Close: 5:00pm Friday 19 November 2021
Awards Ceremony: 26 January 2021, 9 am
Award Categories
| Citizen of the Year | Recognising exceptional contribution, leadership or achievement by individuals aged 19 years or older at 26 January 2022. |
|---|---|
| Young Citizen of the Year | Recognising exceptional contribution, leadership or achievement by young individuals aged 18 years or under at 26 January 2022. |
| Cultural | Recognising exceptional contribution and achievement by individuals within the arts and cultural sector aged 19 years or older on 26 January 2022. |
| Junior Cultural | Recognising exceptional contribution and achievement by young individuals within the arts and cultural sector aged 18 years or under on 26 January 2022. |
| Volunteer of the Year | Recognising the contribution and dedication of volunteers within the Shire. Nominations may be for an individual of any age. |
| Senior Sportsperson | Recognising exceptional sporting achievement by individuals aged 19 years or older on 26 January 2022. |
| Junior Sportsperson | Recognising exceptional sporting achievement by young individuals aged 18 years or under on 26 January 2022. |
| Sports Coach, Official, and/or Administrator | Recognising the contribution and leadership of individual sports coaches, officials or administrators of any age. |
| Community Group or Team | Recognising exceptional contribution and achievement of local community groups and teams. 50% of members must reside within the Banana Shire. |
| Community Event of the Year | Recognising the success of local community-led, public events throughout the Banana Shire. Events must be held between November 2020 - November 2021. |
How to Nominate
Download the 2022 Banana Shire Australia Day Awards Information Pack
Download the 2022 Banana Shire Australia Day Awards Nomination Form
Enquiries and Assistance
For further information regarding the Banana Shire Australia Day celebrations or for assistance in completing a nomination, please contact Council's Australia Day Working Group.
Phone: 07 4992 9500
Email: enquiries@banana.qld.gov.au
Australia Day (Reflect, Respect, Celebrate) logo with accompanying tag line – ‘Assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council’