The community spirit of Redlands Coast was celebrated at the 2024 Australia Day Awards ceremony on January 18 with high achievers earning recognition for their outstanding contributions to the city.
The event showcased individuals and groups from across the city who have worked tirelessly to make Redlands Coast a more inclusive and welcoming place for all.
This year’s award recipients included musician Mirusia Louwerse (Citizen of the Year), youth advocate Cody Schaeffer (Young Citizen of the Year) and charity worker Linda Grieve (Senior Citizen of the Year).
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All three residents were praised for their outstanding leadership skills and commitment to engaging in activities and initiatives that promote community wellbeing on Redlands Coast.
Here is an overview of the 2024 award recipients:
Environment and Sustainability Award
Kevin Hughes BM
Kevin is the founder of Endangered Species Supporters Australia and has taken the lead in inspiring others to learn about Australia’s unique ecosystem.
He recently travelled around the country to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the natural environment.
This involved visiting schools to educate students on the role they can play in protecting native wildlife.
He has been invited on both television and radio to speak about how a well-balanced ecosystem purifies the environment, giving us clean air to breathe and a healthy water system to support diverse marine life.
Kevin is also an 18-year veteran of the State Emergency Service and an ambassador for various organisations.
Cultural Award
Jonathon Welch AM
Jonathon has worked tirelessly to support the Redlands Coast community through his passion for music since moving to the city in 2021.
His work delivering new choir programs and events has helped support local organisations like the Donald Simpson Community Centre and Sing for a Cure.
Jonathon has also worked tirelessly to create inclusive programs such as Only Women Aloud, Men Aloud and the School of Hard Knocks choir.
His infectious love of music and ability to engage everybody in singing has been displayed through his determination to overcome his own health challenges.
Jonathon has several career accomplishments and accolades to his name, including Australian of the Year 2008 – Local Hero and Order of Australia recipient, 2009.
Sports Award
Scott Wintle
Scott is a paraplegic water skier who has competed at the World Championships in Europe, the USA and Australia.
He recently returned from the World Championships in Sacramento, California with a gold medal and three silver medals, setting a new world record in the process.
Scott is a coach and mentor for disabled skiers and regularly attends the Sporting Wheelies come-and-try events to assist and train new skiers.
His commitment to helping others has extended to assisting with setting up an informative website for other skiers with a disability.
Reconciliation Award
Michael Hume
Michael is a First Nations teacher who has helped hundreds of Alexandra Hills State High School students connect with their culture.
He has fostered an understanding among his students that First Nations culture involves sharing, caring, understanding, embracing Country and respecting Elders.
Michael received permission from Traditional Custodians to teach dance and has since established the Biram Yarrabin dance troupe, which performs at surrounding schools.
He is a respected member of the Indigenous community and is known to put others before himself, sometimes buying lunch for students to ensure they don’t go hungry during the school day.
Michael’s dance troupe has been crucial in helping First Nations students connect and understand their culture.
Community Organisation Award
STAR Community Services
STAR Community Services is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to caring for vulnerable community members and ensuring they can lead independent lives.
With more than 21 per cent of the population in Redlands aged over 50, STAR provides a reassuring presence for residents through its various service offerings.
The organisation currently offers in-home support and community-based aged and disability services to more than 8300 community members across Redlands Coast.
STAR has adapted and grown since its humble beginnings in 1996, transforming from a Redlands-based transport provider into a comprehensive aged care and disability support service.
Local Hero Award
Gavin Kugler
Gavin has completed more than 1800 volunteer patrol hours with Point Lookout Surf Life Saving Club after joining as a Nipper in 1985.
His roles include Club Captain, Surf Life Saving Queensland Operations Support Waverunner 8 Coordinator and President of the Point Lookout SLSC Old Boys.
His life-long contributions to the community were recognised with him being awarded Queensland Lifesaver of the Year at Surf Life Saving Queensland’s Awards of Excellence.
As Club Captain, Gavin coordinates the patrol roster and oversees patrol services for volunteer members to ensure the community is safe when visiting the beaches of North Stradbroke Island.
Local Hero Award – Highly Commended
Paul Suess and Julie Bennell
Paul and Julie have played a significant role in developing thousands of youths across Redlands Coast since the 1990s.
Better known as Bunji and Barloo, the pair help young people develop the skills and experiences they need to tackle the real world.
Their role as Cub Scout Leaders involves supporting members to participate in the Cub Scouts award scheme and earn badges, make friends and have fun.
They have played a pivotal role in the development of thousands of Redlands Coast residents, building confidence, leadership, resilience, agility, trust, respect and integrity.
Young Citizen of the Year
Cody Schaeffer
Cody is the founder of Borderline Australia, which provides services to help teenagers improve their mental resilience.
He is committed to breaking the stigma associated with mental health and providing vital support to young people.
Cody consistently invests his time, skills and passion to make a positive difference in the community, whether through assisting local charities or participating in community discussions with other organisations.
He has also worked with B105 and KIIS 97.3 as a radio presenter, where he would often bring events to Redlands Coast and support local businesses with free radio advertising.
Cody’s leadership has inspired others on Redlands Coast and surrounds to get involved in community service.
Senior Citizen of the Year
Linda Grieve
Linda has devoted countless hours to volunteer work on Redlands Coast since opening The Cage Youth Foundation and C3 Church Redland Bay with her husband Peter in 2001.
She has also held volunteer roles with the Board of Eagle House Ministries, Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce, Redlands Women in Business, and The Wesley Hospital Choices Cancer Support Centre.
Linda utilises her leadership skills to collaborate with local businesses and coordinate events for the benefit of young people and their families.
Her work with The Cage includes providing practical, innovative and person-centred services for Redlands residents experiencing hardship and disadvantage.
Senior Citizen of the Year – Highly Commended
Marie Dalton
Marie is an inaugural member of the Community Champions Program which launched in 2017, a year after a large grassfire threatened about 60 homes on Russell Island.
As one of the founding members, Marie has played a key role in helping grow the program to more than 60 members.
Her role as Community Champion lead on Russell Island involves supporting volunteers to inform the community about preparing for bushfires and extreme weather.
Marie was involved in the human social recovery efforts after the tragic August 2023 house fires on Russell Island, including connecting the survivor and her neighbours with support services.
She also provided transportation, food and coffee for support staff and others who were working with the community and assisting with the memorial site.
Citizen of the Year
Mirusia Louwerse
Mirusia has a long list of career achievements spanning community service, music and business.
She is well-known on Redlands Coast for nurturing young creatives, performing at local events and giving back to the community through her ambassador roles with organisations like Silver Memories and the Redland Foundation.
Mirusia’s voluntary live performances at Redlands aged care facilities since 1992, coupled with her role as an ambassador for Silver Memories, have brought joy to the elderly using music as a therapeutic medium.
A talented performer from a young age, Mirusia became the youngest to win the prestigious Dame Joan Sutherland Opera Award – achieving the feat in 2006 – and has worked with several renowned entertainers.
Among her most significant achievements as a recording artist came in 2008 when she won the Platinum Album sales award for André Rieu & Mirusia: Waltzing Matilda.
