NORTH Stradbroke Island elder Aunty Lyn Shipway has earned the top gong at council's Australia Day awards.
Ms Shipway, who is CEO of North Stradbroke Island Aboriginal and Island Housing Co-operative, won the Citizen of the Year award.
A prominent member of the island community, she also helped establish Minjerribah Day Respite Centre, Myora Caravan Park and Nareeba Moopi Pa Aged Care centre.
Mayor Karen Williams said Aunty Lyn was a passionate advocate for her community.
"She is also chair of both Yulu-Burri-Ba Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health and the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health and was formerly on the board of Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders in Council," she said.
"She is always humble and approachable and really does epitomise the Redlands Coast community spirit.
"It was a great pleasure to honour her with this year's Citizen of the Year award."
Jenali Collier was named Young Citizen of the Year for her work with youths on her YouTube channel, leading the Livewire Kids Club at Mount Cotton and as a youth leader with C4 Youth Fellowship.
Senior Citizen of the Year went to Graham Hinson, who is a Legacy volunteer, an RSL military welfare advocate and community link coordinator for Redlands RSL.
The Local Hero Award went to Redlands Chamber of Commerce president Rebecca Young, while Steve Zyka took home a COVID-19 version of the award for his efforts during the pandemic.
Kieron Douglass and Litter Legends founder Layne Utz were joint winners of the Environment and Sustainability Award.
Redland Bay tennis prodigy Lara Walker won the Sports Award and town crier Max Bissett the Cultural Award. He celebrated with a trademark call to the audience.
Special Olympics Redlands took out the Community Organisation award, while the Reconciliation Award went to Supply Aus CEO and Redland Bay local Adam Williams.
The awards ceremony was held at the Alexandra Hills Hotel on Thursday night.
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