Two passionate volunteers have been recognised for their dedication to the community, receiving top gongs at this year’s Lockyer Valley Australia Day ceremony.
Gatton’s Doreen Sabburg was awarded the 2022 Lockyer Valley Citizen of the Year, while Lockrose’s Chantelle Grief was bestowed Young Citizen of the Year during a formal ceremony at Gatton Shire Hall this morning.
For more than 64 years, Doreen has volunteered at the Peace Lutheran Church, and her long association with the Ladies Women’s Guild stretches back to the early 1950s.
Well known and highly respected in the community, Doreen has dedicated her life to helping others and epitomises the values of Citizen of the Year, Lockyer Valley Mayor Tanya Milligan said.
“This is such a fitting recognition for Doreen, who has spent more than half a century selflessly giving her time and assisting others in the community - and she shows no signs of slowing down!” Mayor Milligan said.
She also touched on Doreen’s national pride.
“Doreen is a great supporter of community events, attending every Australia Day awards ceremony fully kitted out in Australia gear, which makes bestowing this award on her today even more special.”
Just like Doreen, Chantelle is always willing to lend a hand and help others in need, volunteering her time at a Laidley animal rescue, Riding for the Disabled and NAIDOC and Multicultural Festival events.
Mayor Milligan said the teen - who is also an active member of the Plainland 2nd Light Horse and 139th Army Cadets - had made the community proud, not only through her impressive volunteering efforts but also her sporting prowess.
“Chantelle was the first multiclass athlete from the Lockyer to compete at the Pacific School Games in 30 years,” she said.
“She was only 13 years old at the time, winning a silver medal at the Pacific School Games in 2018.
“Chantelle is a fantastic role model that others in the community can aspire to.”
Several other awards were presented to deserving recipients during the official Australia Day ceremony, including the prestigious Mayoral Award.
This year, the Mayor’s choice went to local icon and businesswoman, Valerie Vaughan.
Mayor Milligan said it gave her great pleasure to announce Valerie as the recipient of the award, which recognises a community member who has achieved great things for others.
“Valerie is a highly valued member of our community, raised on the land as a child where an understanding of country values was planted and nurtured,” she said.
“Her compassion, kindness and exceptional service is legendary in Gatton and she has touched many lives over the years, often opening her chemist before and after business hours to those in need, and generally going above and beyond for our community.
“If there’s a community event or something good for the town, or even a problem that requires attention, Valerie would likely be there.”
