January 26, 2014

The South Burnett Cultural Australia Day Award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the region’s culture.

In 2014, the Award nominees were:

Louise Thompson

Louise Thompson ... nominated for her work with the Cherbourg Police Junior Rangers
Louise has been involved with the Cherbourg Police Junior Rangers Program since it was introduced through St Joseph’s Catholic School in support of indigenous youth in Murgon. The program concentrates on education, policing, culture and community involvement.Louise’s contribution has been recognised with the 2012 Gold Award (highest honours) for the Queensland Police Service Award for Excellence in Crime Prevention, as well as being nominated under the banner of the Cherbourg Police Junior Rangers concept for the 2013 National Crime Prevention Awards.

Jan Pritchard – 2014 Winner

Gifted in music, singing and acting in her own right, Jan’s contribution to the South Burnett includes being an active member of the South Burnett Musical Comedy Society since 1990 (including serving in roles of President, Secretary and Treasurer); directing South Burnett Musical Comedy Society productions such as “Joseph & His Technicolour Dream Coat”, “Oklahoma!” and “Oliver”, where she also trained, coached and mentored the cast, particularly the children and youth, many of whom had not acted before.Jan also coaches the men’s choir Vocal Mayhem and is an active member of the Blackbutt Singers, who are currently preparing to join with the Esk Choir in a choral trip overseas. Jan also sings with the South Burnett Chorale and acts with and directs the Kingaroy Little Theatre.

Lee Porter

A near sellout of her artworks at her second international exhibition in Gallery 360 in Florence, Italy in August 2013 sums up the amazing talent of Murgon’s Lee Porter.The exhibition – “Can You See What I See?” – captured human-like emotions in the eyes of animals.

Lee ensured the South Burnett was able to share in her artistic efforts with the exhibits spending a few short days on display in the Wondai Art Gallery before being packed for overseas.

The 2013 exhibition followed on the heels of her first international exhibition in 2008 at the Agora Gallery, New York’s second largest private gallery. Lee has successfully profiled the South Burnett’s cultural abilities in two of the world’s art-rich cities. She has been painting for 30 years and can be found training other artists at the Wondai Art gallery.