Anzac Database Wins Senior Cultural Award

2016 Australia Day Awards — Cr Kathy Duff and Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell congratulate Robyn Peterson and Daun Clapperton, who jointly won this year’s Senior Cultural Award

January 26, 2016

Two Nanango women who toiled for more than six years to produce the “Every Many Remembered – South Burnett Heroes” database have jointly received this year’s Senior Cultural Award.

Daun Clapperton and Robyn Peterson’s huge project, which collated details for around 1300 South Burnett soldiers and a small number of nurses who served in the armed forces, required enormous persistence, absolute commitment, research and recording skills of the highest order, and thousands of hours of work.

Their project culminated with the public launch of the database on Anzac Day eve last year, and it was subsequently published on the South Burnett Regional Council’s website.

However, their work didn’t cease.

Since the database’s launch the data it contains has continued to be upgraded.

A hard copy of it has also been produced along with a companion volume of 30 individual stories, which will soon be available in the South Burnett’s libraries.

“The value of Daun and Robyn’s efforts to enhance the region’s cultural heritage is immeasurable,” Awards compere John Carey said.

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Other nominees for the 2016 Senior Cultural Award were:

Linda Archdall

Linda has appeared in at least 30 theatrical performances for the Nanango Theatre Company, where she has also volunteered her time and talents to directing many of those productions, preparing sets, cooking food, writing newspaper articles, working the door and securing grants to improve the theatre facilities.

Linda’s commitment to improving community life has seen her involved in executive committee roles in the Theatre Company, the local swimming club and dance groups. Without her drive and talents, the amount of live theatre available in the South Burnett would diminish markedly.
Melanie Hanwright

Melanie’s celebrated her eighteenth birthday recently, which meant her nomination had to be considered in the Senior Cultural Award category rather than the Junior Cultural Award category she’d submitted it to. Melanie recently completed her high school education and excelled in academic pursuits, music, singing, public speaking and debating throughout her schooling.

She has held roles as Choir Captain, Dance Captain and became a well respected role model for other students, promoting and making a great contribution to the Kingaroy State High School’s cultural program. She was also awarded Senior Dux at this year’s Speech Night, and won the South Burnett Regional Council’s Cultural Bursary.

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