The 2026 Australia Day Awards celebrated a diverse group of volunteers, sportspeople and organisations for their dedication and service to the community.
Member for Lockyer Jim McDonald MP attended the Lockyer Valley Regional Council Awards on 26 January.
“This is a great community to be a part of, as evidenced by the breadth of talent and dedication we saw among this year’s nominees,” Mr McDonald said.
“Their dedication to their chosen field, and commitment to bettering the community, is to be commended.
“I’d like to congratulate the winners and nominees and thank them for their hard work.
“They are truly community champions.”
The 2025 Lockyer Valley Citizen of the Year was Ron Johnstone.
Mr Johnstone is well known as the Lockyer Valley’s town crier and passionate advocate for the region.
He is a long serving volunteer at the Laidley Pioneer Village and is dedicated to preserving and promoting the valley’s rich history.
At the Somerset Australia Day Awards, Glamorgan Vale State School P&C was awarded Event of the Year for their 150th Anniversary Celebrations.
“This was a wonderful event which I was very pleased to attend with my colleague Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek,” Mr McDonald said.
“Congratulations to the team who organisation this wonderful celebration, it is incredibly well deserved.”
Lockyer Valley Australia Day Award winners:
- Community Organisation of the Year – Gatton Black Pigs Rugby Union Club
- Event of the Year – Ma Ma Creek Exhibition
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year – Samson Noffke
- Senior Sportsperson of the Year – Jason Northey
- Young Citizen of the Year – Haylie Morton
- Citizen of the Year – Ron Johnstone
- Mayoral Award Winner – Gayle Daetz
Somerset Australia Day Award winners:
- Citizen of the Year – Bruce Webber
- Sports award – Lochlan Rollston
- Arts and Culture award – Esk Community Choir
- Event of the Year – Glamorgan Vale State School P&C
- Community Group of the Year – Somerset Blue Light Disco
