Burdekin’s Australia Day Awards Winners

Celebrating Sporting, Cultural and Community Excellence

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Luke Potter-Geitz
2026 Junior Sportsperson of the Year

Luke Potter-Geitz delivered an exceptional sporting year in 2025, excelling across multiple disciplines at school, regional and national levels. He was recognised as the Lloyd Mann Memorial Open Age Champion, Male Senior Sportsperson of the Year, and Home Hill Sportsperson of the Year.

At Home Hill State High School, Luke was named Age Champion in Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics, before representing the school at the Burdekin Secondary School Carnivals in all three disciplines. He also earned the Burdekin Secondary Schools Age Champion title for Athletics.

Luke was selected in the Burdekin Secondary Schools Athletics Team, which led to his selection in the North Queensland Athletics Team for High Jump, competing in Townsville. He went on to represent North Queensland in both High Jump and Triple Jump at the 2025 Australian All Schools Championships in Melbourne.

Across the year, Luke demonstrated versatility, consistency and leadership, earning recognition as both an elite young athlete and a positive role model within his school and community.

Karin Thorburn
2026 Senior Sportsperson of the Year

Karin Thorburn is an extraordinary endurance athlete whose achievements place her among Australia’s most accomplished marathon runners. In 2025, she received the Sporting Excellence Award at the North Queensland Sportstar Awards.

Karin became the first Australian to complete 500 official marathons and successfully completed the Magnetic 30 in 30 Challenge, running 30 marathons in 30 consecutive days. She also holds Six Star Major Marathon status, having completed major international marathons in Boston, Tokyo, London, New York, Chicago and Berlin.

Beyond competition, Karin contributes extensively to the running community. She serves as an event coordinator for marathon events across Far North Queensland and is a dedicated volunteer and participant at Plantation Parkrun.

Her achievements, consistency and service reflect unmatched determination and have inspired runners across North Queensland and beyond.

Cecilia Cason
2026 Junior Cultural Award

Cecilia Cason is a highly accomplished multi-instrumentalist and a long-standing member of the Burdekin Brass Band. She performs on Flugel Horn and Tenor Horn with the Thuringowa Brass Band and Townsville Brass, and regularly appears as a soloist and ensemble performer at school and community events.

She is an integral member of local school bands and ensembles, earning multiple musicianship awards at Ayr State High School and Burdekin Christian College. Cecilia has represented the Burdekin at regional, state, national and international levels through competitions, honours programs, music camps and workshops.

In April 2025, Cecilia was named Australian Junior Tenor Horn Champion after competing in Melbourne. She also holds Australian Music Examinations Board qualifications on Tenor Horn, Trumpet and Cornet.
Cecilia has accepted an offer to study at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 2026.

Cheryl Platt
2026 Senior Cultural Achievement Award

Cheryl Platt has dedicated decades of service to performing arts organisations across the Burdekin, contributing leadership, expertise and ongoing commitment to local music and theatre.

She has been a member of the Friends of the Burdekin Theatre for more than 15 years and currently serves as Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator. Cheryl is also a long-standing member of the Home Hill Choral Society, volunteering as Musical Director for over 15 years while continuing to perform with the group.

In addition, she serves the Eisteddfod Association of North Queensland as a Delegate, Registrar and Vice President. Cheryl has also been Secretary of the Burdekin Junior Eisteddfod Committee since 2017.

Her sustained leadership and passion have strengthened multiple cultural organisations and expanded opportunities for performers of all ages across the region.

Larry Hudson
2026 Senior Cultural Award

Larry Hudson has been a cornerstone of the Burdekin Brass Band for more than 20 years, contributing exceptional service, leadership and commitment to the local music community.

He has maintained an almost perfect attendance record over two decades and is also an active member of the Thuringowa Brass Band in Townsville. As long-standing President, Larry has strengthened the band’s financial position through fundraising, sponsorships and successful grant applications, while overseeing major hall upgrades.

Larry championed the annual Burdekin Brass Live concerts and consistently supports performances through equipment transport, coordination and working bees. His leadership has also created valuable development opportunities for young musicians.

Widely respected for his humility and dedication, Larry’s influence has been so significant that the band is affectionately known as “Larry’s Band.”

Anthony Drage
2026 Australia Day Environment Award

Anthony Drage is a dedicated volunteer and long-serving Nursery Manager with Lower Burdekin Landcare. His leadership has driven significant improvements to the organisation’s nursery operations.

Under Anthony’s care, the nursery has expanded with new greenhouses, upgraded watering systems and improved plant displays with accessible walkways. He works seven days a week to ensure plant stock remains healthy and pest-free, while generously assisting visitors with gardening advice.

Anthony’s expertise is widely respected, with local government, commercial organisations and schools regularly seeking his guidance. He has supported community nursery projects and shared his knowledge to encourage learning and environmental stewardship.

Through his tireless service, Anthony has helped create thriving plant ecosystems and earned deep respect across the Burdekin community.

Home Hill State High School – Ag Precinct Community Open Day
2026 Community Event of the Year

The Home Hill State High School Ag Precinct Community Open Day was recognised for its strong community impact and focus on sustainable, future-focused education.

The event attracted more than 100 visitors and showcased the school’s new agricultural precinct, including its greenhouse and learning facilities. Guests learned how students are being taught to balance environmental responsibility with efficient agricultural production.

The open day highlighted the importance of preparing young people with the skills needed to support the future of farming and sustainability in the Burdekin region.

By opening its facilities to the public, the school strengthened connections between education, industry and the wider community, making the event a deserving recipient of the Community Event of the Year Award.

Robyn Hewson
Silver Lifetime Service Award

Robyn Hewson has contributed more than three decades of volunteer service across numerous Burdekin community organisations.

She has volunteered with the Burdekin Show for over 34 years, Burdekin Relay for Life for more than 20 years, and the Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival for the past decade. Robyn has also supported Burdekin Tourism for 11 years and assisted with the Burdekin Fashion Bash in 2014.

In addition, she continues to volunteer at the Lower Burdekin Home for the Aged – Home Hill Hostel, providing support and companionship to residents.

Her long-term commitment reflects genuine care for community events, tourism and the wellbeing of others.

Maryann Petersen
Silver Lifetime Service Award

Maryann Petersen has been a Board Member of Flexi Queensland since its founding more than 30 years ago, contributing significantly to its growth and development.

Her service has supported the delivery of transport buses, supported living homes and a dedicated client hub, recently renamed “The Petersen Hangout” in recognition of her contribution.

Maryann has also served as a Board Member of the Burdekin Brass Band for over 10 years, volunteered as a First Aid Officer with the Burdekin BMX Club, assisted in establishing a Girl Guides clubhouse, and supported numerous Eisteddfods and fundraising events.

Her service reflects a long-standing commitment to inclusion, community support and opportunity.

Dolores Droguet
Gold Lifetime Service Award

Dolores Droguet has dedicated nearly 50 years to volunteer service in the Burdekin. At 93, she continues to volunteer three days a week at the St Vincent de Paul Op Shop in Ayr, where she has served for 47 years.

She has also volunteered for 23 years with both the Burdekin Uniting Church Cuppa Club and Ethnic Community Care Link, and is a long-term volunteer with the Lower Burdekin Home for the Aged Society.

Dolores received the Premier’s Award for Queensland Seniors in 2007 and 2008 and the International Year of Volunteers Award in 2001. She also contributed more than 200 hours to a commemorative mural marking the Olympic Flame’s passage through the Burdekin in 2000.

John Power
Gold Lifetime Service Award & Volunteer of the Year Achievement Award

John Power has provided more than 40 years of volunteer service to the Home Hill Golf Club as its unpaid greenkeeper and machinery maintainer.

He personally oversees course maintenance, mowing greens multiple times weekly, managing turf health and organising pest treatments to professional standards.

John has also volunteered with Rotary and Meals on Wheels in the Burdekin for more than 15 years each, serving in leadership roles within Rotary.

Known for his reliability and work ethic, John’s service has been instrumental to the sustainability of multiple community organisations.

Frank Nucifora
Gold Lifetime Service Award

Frank Nucifora has been a member of the Rotary Club of Ayr for 60 years, serving as President, Treasurer and long-standing Foundation Chair.

He has received Rotary’s highest honour, the Paul Harris Fellow Award, on two occasions. At 86, Frank remains one of the organisation’s most active volunteers and continues to attend work daily.

His decades of leadership and service reflect an enduring commitment to community development and generosity.

Grayson Potter-Geitz
Young Citizen of the Year Achievement Award

Grayson Potter-Geitz served as School Captain and House Captain in 2025, demonstrating leadership, reliability and integrity. He earned Level 2 Academic and Sport Awards, the Crusher Spirit Award and the Rotary Award.

He represented his school in volleyball and netball, volunteered at sporting events, and participated in numerous community initiatives including ANZAC Day services, Clean Up Australia Day and Stand Up Sleep Out.

Grayson is a Cadet Under Officer with the Australian Air Force Cadets and was selected as one of four representatives from North Queensland for the AAFC Wing Annual Competition in New South Wales.

Grace Ogomeni
2026 Young Citizen of the Year

Grace Ogomeni demonstrated exceptional achievement across academics, sport and community service in 2025. She served as School Captain and House Captain and received a Level One Academic Award, along with Dux awards in Accounting, Biology, Chemistry and Business Studies.

She earned multiple sporting honours, represented Burdekin Netball at State Age level, and was selected for North Queensland State Netball trials.

Grace has contributed extensively to community initiatives, including NAIDOC Day, ANZAC Day ceremonies, Clean Up Australia Day and youth leadership programs. She was recognised as Lions Youth of the Year Runner-Up, an Olympic Change Maker Award recipient and the ADF Leadership Award winner.

She has received an offer to study Medicine at James Cook University.

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