NOOSA celebrated Queensland Day on Saturday, June 6, by honouring 61 community members at a special commemorative event at ‘The J’ in Noosa Junction.

More than 130 community members came together for the event, which was hosted by the Independent Member for Noosa, Sandy Bolton MP.

The annual Noosa Electorate Queensland Day Awards recognise local volunteers who give their time, skills and expertise to support others and strengthen the community.

Representing a broad range of organisations and causes across the electorate, this year’s recipients included volunteers from sporting clubs, environmental groups, community support organisations, cultural and heritage groups, animal welfare organisations and many others.

Entertainment was plentiful with a fantastic performance from the St Teresa’s Catholic College Stage Band before former Mayor Bob Abbott and local school captain Amelia Nevett took to the stage as Masters of Ceremonies, sharing the stories and achievements of this year’s recipients.

Ms Bolton thanked recipients, their families and the many organisations that nominated volunteers this year for helping make the awards such a special occasion.

“These awards are always one of the highlights of the year because they provide an opportunity to recognise the incredible people who quietly give so much of themselves for others,” Ms Bolton said.

“This year’s recipients alone have collectively contributed 679 years of volunteer service to our community, which is an extraordinary achievement and one that deserves to be celebrated.”

The Noosa MP said the awards were a reminder of the important role volunteers play in strengthening communities across Queensland.

The recently released State of Volunteering in Queensland Report found that volunteering contributes an estimated $117 billion in social and economic value across Queensland each year.

“Volunteers are the heart of our community. While reports can measure the economic value of volunteering, the real impact is seen in the lives improved, the communities strengthened, and the countless hours people give simply because they care about others,” Ms Bolton said.

“There are so many deserving volunteers in our community, so please, if you know someone who donates their time and expertise for the good of our community, make sure to nominate them next year!”

The 2026 Noosa Electorate Queensland Day Award recipients were:  
Jackie Andrews, Liam Anlezark, Karen Bailey, Andrea Baker, Sarah Bannister, Kristine Blurton, Felicia Brown, Jo Brown, Therase Burke, Joe Cirillo, Peter Chalmers, Lorraine Christie, Alexandra Clarke, Margaret Courtney, Owen Curtis, Claire Davidson, Robert Davies, John Deshon, Christopher Durie, Wendy Ellery, Damon Faint, Fran Gibson, Irene Gibbs, Robert Gibbs, Wendy Goldsmith, Kevin Graham, Lindsay James Hall, Ailsa Hoeben, Heather McCarthy, John (Jerry) Lewis, Celia Maloney, Roy Meese, Gail McBurney, Carly McGrath, Helen Moffit, Christine Myers, Shane Nelson, Lindsay Nowoselsky, Debbie Noyek, Julie Osbourne, Michael Phelan (Roxy), Lisa Pegg, Lorraine Prescott, Judy Pratt, Susan Punshon, James Rennie, Denise Richards, Paula Rivers, Michael Frederick Rose, Janice Rowlinson, Jo Shephard, Rod Solomons, John Spence Thomas, Ian Strong, Diana Thomson, Emma Tomlinson, Rossella Van Vugt, Kim Walker-Barnes, Jenny West and Veronica Whitter.