January 28, 2026
Toowoomba Regional Council’s annual Australia Day Awards for towns in the former Rosalie Shire were hosted by Yarraman this year.
Community members gathered at the Memorial Hall in Browne Street on Monday for the announcements, and Yarraman and Cooyar residents scooped the pool (see the Council citations, below).
The award certificates were presented by Cr Trevor Manteufel.
The morning also included breakfast (and lamingtons) and addresses by guest speakers, business coach Jo Hassan and Caine Wager, from Yarraman P-9 State School.
[All photos: Wild Horse FM]
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Citizen Of The Year – Carole Verden
Carole is an outstanding and dedicated member of the Yarraman and District community.
She is a highly active and enthusiastic volunteer in Yarraman and puts her community before herself every day.
Carole is an extremely motivated leader and excellent mentor to many within her community and is only too willing to help those in need and people who are less fortunate than others. This is a hallmark of her sustained dedication and service to the Yarraman community.
Carole is a prolific contributor to the volunteer movement within Yarraman. She is actively involved in several key community organisations, including the Yarraman and District Progress Association, Yarraman Heritage House, Yarraman Anglican Church and the Yarraman Memorial Hall committee. She also is the convenor and co-ordinator of the Yarraman Driver Reviver Program.
Through her selfless efforts and determination, Carole has in recent times re-established the Yarraman Driver Reviver Program which was in grave danger of folding due to a lack of sponsorship and dwindling volunteer numbers.
Through her excellent negotiation and organisational skills, Carole re-established the program to a more prominent position within the township and has provided an environment to encourage motorists to take a break.
This has also had the flow-on effect to encourage travellers to now experience the township of Yarraman as the northern gateway to the Toowoomba Region and, most importantly, to contribute to saving lives on Toowoomba District roads.
Due to her exceptional interpersonal skills, Carole has been able to recruit a sustainable volunteer workforce, work with Council for assistance and has established Yarraman as an attractive place for the travelling public to visit.
Carole also goes to extraordinary lengths to ensure that the younger members of the Yarraman community have opportunities to interact and socialise within the town.
She has been instrumental in organising such events as blue light discos, Halloween and Christmas functions all in aid of fostering community spirit and cooperation.
Carole is a well-known personality within Yarraman. She is energetic, personable and someone you can trust.
She can always be relied on to assist in times of crisis or as a sounding board to provide some wisdom and perspective to most community-related situations.
Carole is an unsung champion for the community of Yarraman and gives her time freely. She always puts the community before her own wellbeing and always displays the key attributes of personal courage, accountability of action and dedication to supporting her community.
Carole is a shining example of what dedicated volunteers can achieve for the betterment of the community.
Carole is most worthy of recognition for the service that she provides to her community and for the personal sacrifice she has provided over many decades in support of the Yarraman community.
Community involvement: Convenor/coordinator of Yarraman Driver Reviver Program; volunteer at the Yarraman Heritage Centre and kitchen manager; volunteer co-ordinator at the Yarraman Memorial Hall, incorporating organisation of the Yarraman Blue Light Disco; volunteer at the Yarraman Anglican Church, cleaning, gardening and working the community shop; plus has provided assistance to families in the Yarraman community for food and clothing.
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Young Citizen Of The Year – Harper Orme
Harper is an exceptional young person whose life reflects resilience, kindness and an unwavering commitment to her community.
As a younger child, Harper faced significant challenges at school and worked incredibly hard to overcome obstacles that would have discouraged many people her age.
Her determination, perseverance and positive spirit have not only shaped her into a confident young leader but have also inspired those around her.
Through dedication and remarkable personal growth, Harper finished her primary schooling on an extraordinary high.
In 2024, she proudly served as school captain, demonstrating maturity, responsibility and a natural ability to lead with empathy and fairness.
That same year, she was awarded Dux of the School, which was an impressive achievement reflecting her academic excellence, resilience and strong work ethic.
These honours are a testament not just to her abilities but to her willingness to rise above challenges and strive for personal bests in everything she does.
Now in high school, Harper continues to flourish. She has quickly become known as a kind, courteous and helpful student — someone who always offers a friendly smile, lends a hand without being asked and goes out of her way to support her peers.
Teachers and students alike value her gentle leadership, respectful nature and her ability to make others feel included and supported.
Beyond her school achievements, Harper is deeply involved in her community. She volunteers her time tirelessly to help younger swimmers at her swim club, offering encouragement, guidance and mentorship.
She contributes enthusiastically to the local football club canteen and participates in every P&C fundraiser and event with genuine pride and enthusiasm.
Harper’s willingness to give back reflects her generous heart and her desire to make her community a better, more connected place.
Harper is a shining example of what young citizens can achieve when they lead with kindness, courage and determination.
Her journey from early struggles to becoming a respected leader, dedicated volunteer and compassionate role model makes her an outstanding nominee and recipient for this award.
Harper embodies resilience, leadership, service and heart, all qualities that make her truly deserving of recognition.
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Cultural Award – Ava Englund
Ava is a young student living in Goombungee who actively promotes her town and surrounding areas.
She volunteers as a co-ordinator of the Artists of Crows Nest and is also involved with the Show Society and her local church.
Ava supports other artists across the Toowoomba Region, with many unaware that she is a teenager and full-time student.
Devotion to her art has brought Ava comfort and joy after losing her father to brain cancer in 2023 as a 14-year-old.
Ava is a frequent presence at local markets selling her jewellery, exhibiting and promoting local events, such as Goombungee’s Jacaranda Day and the TRC Art Trail.
She describes herself as a young rural artist who works with wire in jewellery, tree sculptures and paints with acrylic + watercolour. She participates in the InStudio Art Trail, has displayed in many exhibitions and is a member of the Artists of Crows Nest.
Achievements: Grand Champion Goombungee Haden Show – High School Art; exhibitor in the “I Love Goombungee” art exhibition at the Rosalie Gallery; exhibitor in the TRC Art Trail, youngest member of the Artists of Crows Nest and is the nominations co-ordinator for the Artists of Crows Nest.
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Senior Sports Award – Nathan MacDonald
Nathan has excelled at the speedway track and epitomises what a sporting role model/ambassador should resemble.
Nathan has been around speedway racing his entire life.
The family’s love of speedway came from Nathan’s mechanic dad, Lindsay, who raced speedway from 23. Nathan’s older brother Shane was the passenger.
When Shane was old enough to drive on his own, Nathan then became Lindsay’s passenger.
Nathan also followed his brother’s footsteps and secured his own car when he turned 18.
Nathan reached the pinnacle of modified sedan racing in 2025 by winning his first Australian title.
He now has two NSW titles and one Queensland title and has won countless other races across the country, generally on the podium beside his brother.
Nathan has used his profile to raise money for different causes over the years, most notably to send a fellow speedway fan’s child to the United States for medical treatment. He has supported breast cancer and men’s mental health.
He mentors, encourages and has sponsored junior drivers who are starting out in the sport.
Nathan has been secretary of the local speedway club for years and now is the president.
He has sacrificed his own time to be a speedway sedans scrutineer.
Nathan takes every opportunity he can to promote the sport.
He is a great sportsman and prides himself on presenting his car in the best condition for his team and sponsors.
Nathan learnt important lessons from his father and brother, which also set him up for a future as a diesel fitter.
He’s been working for Hastings Deering for 17 years. Married in 2010, Nathan has two children who now also attend Goombungee and Oakey schools following in his footsteps.
Achievements: Current Australian title holder for Modified Sedans; Runner-up Australian title for two years for Modified Sedans; Gladstone Speedway $5000 Dirt Dash winner; Queensland Modified Sedans titleholder and a winner of two NSW Modified Sedan titles.
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Junior Sports Award – Amelia Schumacher
Amelia is a 13-year-old Indigenous Year 8 student at Nanango State High School.
She is an all-round sporting talent, who has achieved considerable success in cross country, swimming and triathlon events.
Amelia does not shy away from hard work and challenges and encourages others around her to have a go.
It is common to see her covered in mud helping her parents with their drilling business, on their property with farm work or assisting younger children in the pool at the local swimming club.
When she is not striving to complete her own personal sporting goals, she dedicates time to help others achieve their goals.
Amelia is a wonderful role model for her community and a prime example of how great things come from small towns.
Amelia immerses herself in the Yarraman community, showing compassion and leadership qualities that inspire others and make a positive impact every day.
Achievements: 1st place Bribie Island Triathlon Series; Wide Bay Representative Cross Country (for four years) and triathlon (including at the Wide Bay triathlon for two years); State Age Team Member Nanango and District Netball Club; 2025 swimming and cross country age champion at Nanango State High School and the Yarraman Swim Club, with best butterfly times at the Kingaroy Swim Club.
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Community Group – Kulpi and District Hall Association Inc
The Kulpi and District Hall Association is run by a group of volunteers who not only ensure the hall is available as a hire space to the community for events or meetings, they also bring the community together by hosting their own fundraising and entertainment events.
Each year the Association runs the Kulpi Christmas Tree to bring families together and celebrate Christmas. This has been a family tradition for generations.
The members also have ensured that the hall has been well maintained, along with scheduling improvements to the facilities to ensure the hall remains functional and a popular location for events.
This hall, which has been operating since 1914, stands as an icon in the Kulpi and surrounding community and has served as a gathering place for the community for generations.
The committee and members dedicate many hours to keep the hall functioning, so events continue to be staged for the community.
The Kulpi Hall Association always operates with the community as the focus of every decision and service, with the goal of uniting the surrounding community for events.
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Community Event – 2025 Tee’d Up Golf Day (Yarraman P-9 P&C)
The Yarraman State School P&C held its inaugural Golf Fundraising Day, the 2025 Tee’d Up Golf Day, to benefit the wider Yarraman community.
The event was an opportunity for members of the school community to liaise with local businesses, contributing to positive community engagement.
Fifty-six budding golfers registered for the day. A last-minute change from a Par 3 to a full nine-hole event was a raging success.
Twelve local community businesses registered as major sponsors and 17 local and external businesses contributed prizes to the raffle.
The competitors chipped in to make a $10,700 profit. The funds will directly help schoolchildren and their families by reducing the cost of 2026 camps, excursions and reward days. The goal was to ensure cost is not a barrier to attending these activities.
The P&C works tirelessly to support students, staff and the community by raising funds, creating opportunities and fostering school spirit through teamwork.
The Yarraman State School P&C Association is a dedicated, vibrant and enthusiastic group of parents who achieve big things for a small school.
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Community Spirit Award – Lorraine Lindemeier
Lorraine has been involved in Cooyar’s community life across her 50-plus years in the district.
She has been on many executive committees.
Following her retirement from her school administration job, Lorraine saw a need for the community to come together for more social interaction.
This idea led to the formation of the Cooyar Cuppa Group, with Lorraine as the founder and co-ordinator.
In more recent years, the community has been able to host many very successful events.
The community’s generosity has allowed the group to donate to local causes and, in recent years, to Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea run by the Cancer Council.
These events are successfully co-ordinated by Lorraine.
Among other service roles, Lorraine is a past treasurer of the Cooyar Hall Committee and the local indoor bowls club.
In addition to her administration role at the school, Lorraine is a long-standing steward and member of the local Show Society.
Lorraine is respected and deserves wide acknowledgement for the hard work and dedication that she contributes to all Cooyar community events.
