Congratulations to TRC’s Australia Day Award Winners
Today is the day we celebrate the story of Australia and, in doing so, reflect on where we have come from, who we are as a nation and what we aspire to be.
We can contemplate our complex history and understand that acknowledging and reconciling our past helps lay a path to a stronger future. We respect and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ survival, resilience and over 65,000 years of continuous culture.
It’s also a day we pay respect to the stories, histories and contributions of the Australians who lived, worked and fought for the values and freedoms we sometimes take for granted.
“The group of people nominated for this year’s Tablelands Regional Council (TRC) Australia Day Awards have been recognised by their peers, colleagues, teammates, family members and others in our community”. said Mayor Rod Marti.
The Mayor continued “They’ve all demonstrated the qualities of the Aussie spirit we know. Many have contributed to our community as volunteers and leaders, many have enriched our lives with their involvement and participation in sports, arts, industry and innovation.
We greatly value the incredible contribution of all nominees and congratulate the worthy final award recipients. I also want to acknowledge the contribution of local recipients of the State Emergency Service Awards that were also announced today ”.
The 2026 TRC Australia Day Award recipients are:
Citizen of the Year Award
Anj Mittelstadt
For 15 years, Anj has voluntarily beautified Malanda’s gardens and streetscapes, giving her own time, resources and expertise to create a town admired well beyond the Tablelands. A cancer survivor, who lost her daughter Missy to cancer, Anj turned personal tragedy into national impact by founding Missy’s Donors. Through her leadership, advocacy and example, her team has generated over 2,000 blood donations annually for eight consecutive years, saving an estimated 6,000 Australian lives each year. She has not only helped save thousands of lives nationally through blood donorship advocacy, but has also shaped Malanda into a beautiful, welcoming and progressive modern country town.
Young Citizen of the Year Award
Amelie Cockrem
Amelie has contributed significantly to her school and wider community. Her recent accolades include being awarded Junior School Dux and Junior School Captain, ADF’s Future Innovators Award for her contributions to STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) for girls, and Most Outstanding Student in Year 10. Amelie also fosters a strong dedication to sports as an active member of the Malanda Swimming Club and representative cricket player. She is a member of the Malanda Theatre Company performing in numerous productions and volunteering extensively. Amelie shows what young people can achieve when they lead with heart, humility and courage.
Community Event of the Year Award (joint recipients x3)
Atherton Carols by Candlelight
The 2025 Atherton Carols by Candlelight fostered a strong sense of belonging and seasonal joy, strengthening social connection, supporting local enterprise, and celebrating the region’s creative spirit. The event included Night Markets with over 40 stallholders offering local artisans, producers, and small businesses valuable exposure and trading opportunities in a vibrant celebration. The Gingerbread House Competition grew in popularity, adding a playful and creative dimension to the event. What makes this event truly remarkable is that every performer, organiser, decorator, and crew member contributed voluntarily, embodying generosity and collaboration to ensure a joyful, inclusive occasion.
Atherton Maize Festival
The Atherton Maize Festival is an annual community celebration bringing together local families, businesses and visitors. Three key events include the Maize Ball, High Tea, and the Main Street Parade, all encouraging strong community participation and connection. A highlight of the festival is the Maize Queen and Princess program, which supports young rural women by building confidence, leadership, and public speaking skills with participants fundraising for local charities. The festival strengthens community spirit, supports local businesses, boosts tourism, and encourages volunteering and youth involvement across the Tablelands. In recent years the festival has donated over $26,000 to local charities.
Tolga Scarecrow Festival
The Tolga Scarecrow Festival is a vibrant, family-friendly community event featuring competitions, traditional games, market stalls and entertainment, and celebrates our farming origins. Attracting around 3,000 attendees, it fosters community participation across all ages and abilities. The festival provides community connections and fundraising opportunities for community groups, generating over $5,000 in direct benefit. The Festival promotes social connection, inclusion, and wellbeing through safe, intergenerational activities, and enriches local culture. The economic, social, and cultural benefits of the Festival makes it a celebrated tradition that exemplifies the grassroots community strength of our region.
Community Service Award
Barry and Judith Waugh
Barry and Judith Waugh have been volunteering in our community for 28 years, operating the Busy Bee opportunity shop in Malanda. Known for their organisational skills, work ethic, generosity, warm welcome and deep faith, they support families and individuals on the Tablelands. Their tireless commitment to those struggling is inclusive and unwavering. Now in their eighties, they continue to actively volunteer six days a week, managing copious quantities of donations, coordinating the workflow of over 25 volunteers, and engaging with other agencies in the social justice space. Their motivation is simple, to help others
Sports Supporter Award
David Prete
David has dedicated time and effort supporting cycling on the Tablelands for more than 22 years. David has led funding applications, developed proposals, built partnerships, chaired committees and championed stakeholder collaboration to support cycling in the region. As President of the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Club and President of Tableland Cycle Sports, he has pioneered cycling as both a sport and was pivotal in establishing the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park. He continues to advocate for cycling across our region and promoting the Tablelands as a destination.
Junior Sports Award
Indiana Palmer
Indiana is a committed athlete whose achievements span cricket, CrossFit, athletics, cross country, and softball. Following her participation in multiple cricket events she earned the title of Representative Player of the Year for both Atherton and Mareeba Cricket Clubs, as well as Ladies Player of the Year. Indiana is amongst the top-ranked youth CrossFit athletes across the Oceania region and internationally. She has participated in State Athletics and Cross Country and was recently selected for the Peninsula Softball Team for the State Championships. Indiana is true ambassador for community sport.
Cultural Award
Jaelene Durrand
Jaelene has made a significant contribution to community cultural life through hands-on arts leadership, education, and public engagement. She has led school and community mural projects, coordinated exhibitions featuring regional artists, and delivered creative workshops that prioritise access for young people and regional communities. Jaelene actively mentors emerging artists and teachers and her practice has been recognised through the Queensland Regional Art Awards — one of just four finalists for the Emerging Artist Award. Jaelene consistently uses her skills to strengthen community connection, whether through youth engagement, regional exhibitions, or artist-led workshops delivered locally and in Brisbane.
Junior Cultural Award
Atherton Performing Arts Youth Theatre
The Atherton Performing Arts Youth Theatre group’s production of Disney’s Newsies Junior was a local performance that demonstrated the depth of our creative youth. Five months of rehearsals and weekly Youth Theatre sessions resulted in a quality, community celebrated production, drawing record audiences and widespread praise. The production showcased the talent, creativity, dedication, and teamwork of 25 young people from across the region. Youth Theatre embodies values of inclusivity, teamwork, and personal growth, providing a safe and supportive space where youth from diverse backgrounds develop confidence, responsibility, and lifelong skills.
