January 26, 2014

The South Burnett Regional Council’s Young Citizen Of The Year Australia Day Award recognises an outstanding young person who has made noteworthy contributions to the region.

In 2014, the Award nominees were:

Kate Coughlan

Amy Atkinson and Kate Coughlan ... nominated for Young Citizen of the Year
Nanango State High School is very proud of Kate Coughlan. Her selfless and dedicated ways positively promote the school wherever she goes and whatever she participates in. She was 2013 Nanango State High School captain and her lengthy list of achievements in academic, sporting, cultural pursuits and leadership have ensured that students she mentored now have an outstanding example to follow. Her accomplishments for 2013 included:

  • Senior Dux
  • Prix D’Honneur
  • Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award
  • Speaker of the Year
  • Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
  • Lions Youth of the Year Club winner and regional finalist
  • Netballer of the Year
  • Cross Country U/17 girls Age Champion
  • Rostrum Voice of Youth public speaking competition, South Burnett winner and regional finalist.

Amy Atkinson

Amy is highly regarded within the Murgon community and is recognised by Murgon High School as a young woman with a great deal of self-control and determination.

She has received awards for Physical Education, Recreational Studies, English, Agricultural Science and Cross Country. She also demonstrated her determination by winning the Caltex Best All Rounder Award and the Excellence in Agriculture Award.

Amy was one of the hosts that presented the 55th annual Murgon State High School Speech Night, further demonstrating her wonderful leadership skills, multiple talents and encouraging those who look up to her to aim higher.

Sam Johnston

Sam Johnston ... 2013 Kingaroy State High School captain
Sam served as the 2013 Kingaroy SHS captain, demonstrating excellent leadership in his studies, and through his involvement in the Active Citizens program, volunteered his time to help Meals on Wheels, South Burnett Mart Auction and the Blue Care Door Knock Appeal.

He also participated in the Quota Youth of the Year speech competition.

Sam is a member of the South Burnett Orchestra where he plays the viola and was a long-term member of the Kingaroy SHS Concert Band. He made himself available for all community and school commitments such as Anzac Day ceremonies and Carols by Candlelight.

He reinvests his talent into the next generation by teaching the violin. Sam is an excellent role model for all the young people in our community. He demonstrates a strong commitment to sport, academic endeavours, good leadership, strong community participation and empathy for others through his work in the Active Citizen Program.

William Johnson

Will Johnson ... president of the South Burnett Young Leaders Association
Will is the president of the South Burnett Young Leaders Association and is actively involved in Rotary and the South Burnett Show Society.

Will is undoubtedly a future leader in the South Burnett. He re-energises through helping others and his leadership is growing fast because he remains involved and committed to project managing the Kingaroy Christmas Carnival and organising Relay For Life teams.

Will mentors younger people as part of his role in the South Burnett Young Leaders Association and helps anyone out, no matter their age, origin or disability.

Amy Wicks – 2014 Winner

Starting young in the ways of the land enabled Amy to experience life to its fullest.

Throughout her school years she developed her extensive ambassador skills by participating in debating, public speaking, competitions, agricultural shows and much more.

In 2009 Amy became a member of the Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies Next Generation, a sub-committee designed to encourage youth participation in agricultural shows. Now in her second year as President, Amy regularly presents workshops throughout Queensland on succession planning, keeping youth involved in local shows and the broader rural industry.

Amy has also established the Next Generation Youth Exchange program between Queensland and Zimbabwe.

She is a wonderful advocate and ambassador for the show movement on local, State, national and international stages. Through her roles she has encouraged many people to travel to the South Burnett to experience what the region has to offer. She has also co-ordinated a youth conference to be held at the University of Queensland Gatton Campus this month with delegates and speakers coming from all over the country and internationally.

Amy has a very positive impact on the shows within the South Burnett community through encouraging and mentoring the youth to ensure that the future of the Queensland show movement is sustained within the South Burnett.