Community service takes centre stage at Australia Day awards
Award recipients celebrate with Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli.
The Sunshine Coast’s quiet achievers were in the spotlight last Friday (January 23), with community leaders, volunteers and organisations honoured for their impact across the region at the 2026 Sunshine Coast Australia Day Community Awards.
More than 110 nominations were received from across the Coast, reflecting what organisers described as the depth and breadth of community contribution stretching from Kenilworth to Caloundra and Beerwah to Buderim. While many of this year’s recipients will be profiled individually, the awards offered a broad snapshot of the people and groups shaping the social fabric of the region.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the awards recognised everyday efforts that often went unseen.
“These awards pay tribute to the volunteers, groups and quiet achievers whose kindness, resilience and vision make our community a better place,” she said, thanking nominees and recipients for the example they set.
“I offer sincere thanks and congratulations to all our 2026 recipients.
“Your efforts embody the true values of our community and you, in turn, inspire others to take action across our community.”
An academic, philanthropist and visionary founder of Hair Aid, Selina Tomasich has been named Citizen of the Year for her sustained, lifechanging impact across the Sunshine Coast and around the world.
• Citizen of the Year was awarded to Selina Tomasich, recognised for founding Hair Aid and its international work training people in vulnerable communities with practical skills to create livelihoods and support families. More than 7000 people worldwide have now been trained through the program.
• Long-term foster carers Phil and Di Wilson were named Senior Citizens of the Year for more than three decades of care, during which they have welcomed more than 200 children into their home and adopted 10. Their award was among the most warmly received on the day.
• Young Citizen of the Year went to Jessica Cronin, acknowledged for youth leadership spanning local community initiatives and global advocacy projects, including education and wellbeing programs for young people.
• Community Group or Organisation of the Year was awarded to Lookout07, a youth sanctuary founded by Dr Leon Stensholm, providing free recreation, counselling and mentoring services, with thousands of young people supported since opening.
• The Creative Arts Award was shared by the Kenilworth Arts Council and Gretchen Keelty, recognising decades of volunteer-led cultural programming and large-scale inclusive public art projects.
• The Healthy and Active Award was jointly awarded to Bamboo Projects and The Parkinson’s Centre, highlighting volunteer-driven wellbeing programs and specialist support for people living with Parkinson’s.
• A posthumous award honoured June Upton, remembered as a tireless charity worker and long-time advocate for community causes, with deep ties to Nambour.