January 26, 2018
Former Kingaroy Citizen of the Year Jason Ford has gone one step better this year … he was named the 2018 South Burnett Citizen of the Year at a Council ceremony in Murgon Town Hall on Thursday night.
Jason was presented with his award in front of a packed audience by South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell.
The popular TAFE Hospitality teacher has represented the South Burnett – and local cuisine – at numerous events over the past two decades, including Regional Flavours in Brisbane, the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival, Wine and Food in the Park and the LifeStyle Food Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition in Adelaide.
He has also written restaurant reviews for the Courier Mail, food columns for Queensland Country Life, South Burnett Online, the South Burnett Times, High Country Herald and recorded a regular radio cooking segment on CROW-FM 90.7.
Over the years, Jason has made a point of highlighting South Burnett produce in his recipes and cooking demonstrations – especially pork and peanuts – and has always been an enthusiastic ambassador for the region.
2018 Junior Citizen of the Year is Tim De Caluwe, from Kingaroy, who was also presented with his award by Mayor Campbell.
Like Jason, Tim is heavily involved in volunteer work and, in fact, both are members of the Kingaroy Christmas Carnival organising committee.
Tim is studying for a degree in accountancy but also finds time to volunteer with the Taabinga Rotary Club, South Burnett National Show Society and the Kingaroy Church of Christ.
In 2017, Tim was named Rural Ambassador at the Kingaroy Show.
The Australia Day awards evening was compered by John Carey and featured a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by Susan Dowideit-Reiger, who later received the Kingaroy Local Achiever Award.
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Former Murgon RSL Sub-Branch president Jim Kingston was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the 2018 Australia Day national awards.
Jim was honoured for his service to veterans and their families, and to the community of Murgon.
He was part of the party that represented the South Burnett in the Netherlands in 2014 at a ceremony commemorating former Murgon resident Patrick Tiernan whose plane was shot down during World War II.
Also honoured in the 2018 Australia Day list was Chief Superintendent Kevin Guteridge who received an Australian Police Medal.
Kevin is the brother of Murgon Police Officer-in-Charge Senior Sergeant Lance Guteridge and grew up in Nanango.
He attended St Patrick’s Primary School and later served in the Kingaroy Stock Squad and at Murgon Police Station.
[UPDATED]
Related articles:
- Jason Is Our Citizen Of The Year
- Accountant Is Our Top Young Citizen
- Local Achievers Honoured
- Pianist Awarded For Lifetime Of Achievement
- Mental Health Advocate Is Our Top Volunteer
- Boxing Legend Is Coach Of The Year
- Runners Are Our Top Sportspeople
- Artist, Musician Win Cultural Awards
- Tourism Group Wins Community Award
