Mayor Joyce McCulloch has named Joyce Brogden as the 2019 Mount Isa Citizen of the Year, saying the vital work she does for Northwest Wildlife Carers was exemplary.
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Mrs Brogden, a registered wildlife carer, wasn’t present for the Australia Day awards at the Civic Centre but the Mayor said she was passionate about wildlife rescue and has cared for hundreds of animals over more than a decade, nursing them back to full health so they can be released back into the wild.
“Joyce has been helping injured or abandoned native animals for many years but has never sought recognition for her work,” Cr McCulloch said.
“Joyce is a true unsung hero in the community. She puts in many hours caring for these injured native animals because of her dedication to Australian wildlife.”
Seventeen-year-old Braith Anderson took out this year’s Young Citizen of the Year.
Last year, Braith graduated from Good Shepherd Catholic College with an OP of 4, the school’s highest of the year.
Braith is also pursuing music as a hobby, creating pieces in the genres of electronic dance music and melodic dubstep, with two of his songs recently picked up by international pop artist Kendra Black for inclusion in her future album.
“Braith’s Principal at Good Shepherd, Peter Scott, says Braith’s OP reflects his consistently rigorous and independent efforts, and that he attained excellent academic results, achieving consistently well across all of his subjects and graduating top of his class,” Cr McCulloch said.
The 2019 Senior Citizen of the Year is Brother Lou Walker from the Mount Isa Christian Brothers.
Born Kevin Walker in Queenstown, New Zealand, Br Walker has been a fixture of the Mount Isa community for more than 30 years and has been with the Christian Brothers ministry for more than 60 years.
Br Walker taught at St Kieran’s Catholic Primary School for more than three decades – and even designed its logo, which is still in use.
The Senior Sports Award recipient is Patricia (Trish) Richards, who is an active volunteer and leader with the Brothers Rugby League and Pirates softball teams, and a highly respected Indigenous community leader.
The Junior Sports Award went to Patrick Roche, 15, who is an Australian champion martial artist and an assistant instructor with Sikaran Martial Arts Mount Isa. He helps new students learn the ropes, teaching them the basics as well as the rules of the dojo. He also fundraised every weekend for 12 months so his whole team could attend the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation World Titles in Hawaii in July 2018. Although a junior student in age, Patrick holds the rank of Senior Green Belt 2nd Class, the second-highest ranked student under 18 at the club.
The Arts and Culture Award 2019 goes to Kate Hartley, who, as well as being a music and drama teacher at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, is president of the Mount Isa Eisteddfod Association and a talented singer in her own right. Kate regularly performs at community events
The Southern Gulf NRM Sarus Crane Award goes to Jesse Osborn, who is the Mount Isa Landcare vice-president and volunteers for many local Landcare activities, such as tackling weeds in areas including the Corella River, Rifle Creek Station and West Leichhardt Station and he volunteered to help complete two heritage projects erecting signage at Kuridala and Mary Kathleen.
The recipient of the 2019 Spirit of Mount Isa Award is Khovy Inthavong. Khovy has lived in Mount Isa for about 16 years and, as well as working with local youth, is an active and regular actor with the Mount Isa Theatrical Society. He is also a talented singer, performing at events including Australia Day, Anzac Day and Carols by Candlelight.
The awards were followed by a citizenship ceremony.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
