THE artist who encouraged people across the world to weave millions of paper stars in a pledge to end violence is the city’s Citizen of the Year.
Maryann Talia Pau partnered with the Queensland government from 2016 to create an installation of the stars in the Museum of Brisbane in the lead up to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games last year.
Recipients of this year’s Redlands Coast Australia Day Awards were announced at a dinner on Tuesday evening.
Rita Morris is the city’s Senior Citizen of the Year and Madina Mohmood the Young Citizen of the Year.
North Stradbroke Island resident Joshua Walker won the Reconciliation Award and Noel Walker the Local Hero Award.
The Community Organisation Award was won by Running Wild – Youth Conservation Culture and the cultural award by Rockit Productions.
Amy Glade and Redlands After-hours Wildlife Ambulance shared the Environment and Sustainability Award, and Adam Pryde and Cleveland Air Magic’s Gold Fire team shared the Sports Award.
Mayor Karen Williams said 37 people were nominated in nine categories.
“Every nominee and award winner here this evening can be justifiably proud of the outstanding and lasting contributions they have made to our community,” she said.
“Redlands Coast is fortunate to have so many people with such generosity of spirit and desire to help others.”
Cr Williams said the achievements of the award recipients ranked up with the best of those recognised nationally.
“Their service to our community is just as valued and important as that of those on the national stage,” she said.
Ms Talia Pau’s stars project was at first regarded as a pipe dream but 2.4 million stars were woven by the completion of the project.
The project supported the Games’ vision of providing opportunities for communities to take part in the event and resulted in installations across the state.
Ms Morris was the driving force behind the establishment in 1981 of the organisation now known as Myhorizon which provides disability services.
Redlands’ Young Citizen of the Year, Madina Mohmood helped found the Afghan Student Association, organises cultural and sporting events and runs workshops teaching public speaking skills to students.
Joshua Walker won the Reconciliation Award for sharing his cultural knowledge through talks, song and dance and helping to restore Jandai, the language of Quandamooka Country.
Noel Walker grew the Lamb Island Rural Fire Brigade to 30 volunteers and was instrumental in taking the brigade into the folds of the Queensland Ambulance Service support system, providing support to paramedics travelling to the island.
He is also involved in projects like the the implementation of disaster management protocols on Lamb Island.
The Running Wild organisation offers traineeships to disadvantaged youth on the Southern Moreton Bay Island.
They received a Best in the State award for their projects in the Queensland Training Awards.
Rockit Productions, winner of the cultural award, is a local production company and educational institution. Students receive musical theatre training and are provided with performance opportunities.
Environmental and Sustainability Award co-recipient Amy Glade was recognised as a tireless volunteer for many community groups and advocate for the welfare of the local community and the protection of the local environment.
Co-recipient, the Redlands After-hours Wildlife Ambulance, is a voluntary program that provides a 24/7 response to calls about sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. It is supported by Redland City Council.
Local high school teacher Adam Prydee was a co-recipient of the Sports Award. He has multiple high-level representative positions to his credit and captained Redlands Crushers in the Brisbane Metro Championships.
Mr Pryde runs a school Touch Football Academy helps with junior development programs.
Also recognised was Cleveland Air Magic’s Gold Fire team which has won international championships status multiple times. Each team member holds three individual and overall team world titles.
Cr Williams said there were some amazing people who were actively working to help make Redlands Coast a better place and it was fitting their quiet achievements be properly acknowledged.
“I also extend thanks to all those who were sufficiently inspired to nominate an individual or a group for an award,” Cr Williams said.
“None of our award winners seek credit from what they do, which makes it so important that you provided the opportunity for their efforts to be recognised.”
