January 23, 2018
Bruce and Denise Morcombe earn top honours at Australia Day Awards
Dedicated and passionate child safety advocates, Bruce and Denise Morcombe were named the 2018 Sunshine Coast Australia Day Awards Citizens of the Year at a special ceremony held today (January 23) at The Events Centre, Caloundra.
As a legacy to Daniel and in honour of his memory, Bruce and Denise founded the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to assist educators and parents in the education of children about their personal safety, assist young victims of crime and empower people to make their local communities safer for children.
Mayor Mark Jamieson said this year's Sunshine Coast Australia Day Awards had again highlighted the outstanding work of a number of community-focussed Sunshine Coast citizens and organisations.
"The work Bruce and Denise have done for our community, and many other communities across Queensland, has and will continue to help protect our youngest citizens from harm.
"Their dedication to promoting child safety is honourable and this award is one way we are able to show our appreciation for their work."Our nominees in the Australia Day Awards are a very special group of achievers and this is our chance to say thank you.
"Their stories and efforts are inspirational and highlight how fortunate we are to have so many everyday heroes walking amongst us."They fully deserve this public recognition for what they do to make our region a better place."
The 2018 Australia Day Award recipients were nominated by the community and selected by a panel of local leaders and experts, including the 2017 Sunshine Coast Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year award recipient, Jak Hardy.2018 Sunshine Coast Australia Day Award winners
Bruce and Denise Morcombe Citizens of the Year Award, sponsored by 7 News Sunshine CoastBruce has presented on child safety to more than 500 schools across Queensland as a Queensland Child Safety Ambassador, created Day for Daniel, helped to develop the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum in collaboration with the QLD Department of Education, QLD Police Service and Department of Community Services and personally assisted families of missing persons and created the Walk Tall Program in collaboration with ACT for Kids.
Olivia Lindsay Young Citizen of the Year Award, sponsored by USCShe represented Australia at the London International Youth Science Forum, studied advanced physics at the Junior Physics Olympiad (2015) and was selected for the Young Scholars Program (2016).
Olivia volunteers her time to a project called The Olive Stories that aims to empower youth. She is a keen instrumentalist that volunteers her time to the Vivace String Ensemble.She was named the Public Speaking winner at the Lions Youth of the Year quest.
Donald Moffatt Senior Citizen of the Year Award, sponsored by Maroochy RSLHe also chaired the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service for 21 years, helping to save more than 42,000 lives.
Daniel Morcombe Foundation Community Group or Organisation Award, sponsored by the Sunshine Coast DailyThe Foundation was established as a lasting legacy to Daniel and assists educators and parents in the education of children about their personal safety, assists young victims of crime and empowers all Australians to make their own local communities safer places for children.
Judy Pippen Creative Award, sponsored by TAFE QueenslandUnder Judy's voluntary management and the efforts of its board, the organisation has moved from a tactical strategy of activating and animating the space, to a more considered strategic approach to medium and long term development.
Judy has managed the day-to-day operations of the facility and dedicated time as secretary of the board.Judy continues to manage Work for the Dole volunteers, who are engaged both operationally and creatively.
Through Judy's expert fundraising skills the Old Ambo attracted more than $200,000 in funding for building and business development as well as creative project development and delivery.
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Environment and Sustainability Award, sponsored by Living Smart Sunshine Coast
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors aims to involve people in the protection of injured, threatened or endangered wildlife.
The largest project of Wildlife Warriors is the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital that treats, rehabilitates and releases sick, injured and displaced native wildlife. The hospital has treated more than 73,200 patients. The hospital team also conduct and support vital research.
Sunshine Coast Lightning Sport and Recreation Award, sponsored by Sunshine Coast Sports FederationLed by CEO, Danielle Smith CA and Head Coach, Noeline Taurua, the club has made a concerted effort to involve the community along the way.
The team has done an outstanding job of representing the Sunshine Coast in women's sport, and, in their first year of play, brought home the premiership.They have encouraged young girls to aim for greatness, as well as making Sunshine Coasters proud of what we can achieve.
ENDS