Long-time community stalwart Bob Jakeman is the 2021 Mount Isa Citizen of the Year.
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Mayor Danielle Slade said it would be an honour to present Bob with his Citizen of the Year award on Tuesday, given his extraordinary involvement in, dedication and generosity to the Mount Isa community and sporting clubs over the years.
"Bob has been a Mount Isa resident for more than 45 years and his love of this community is evident," Cr Slade said.
"Bob has worked so hard for the Mount Isa Touch Association, Mount Isa Leichhardt Lions Club, Town Rugby League Club and the Mount Isa Golf Club over the years, he has definitely earned the status of 'local legend'.
"He arrived in Mount Isa to play rugby league for Townies and, through his involvement as a player, committee member and builder of the club's clubhouse, was eventually named a Townies life member. He still plays an integral role in keeping rugby league alive in Mount Isa and officiates rugby league games."
"He has also refereed, played and been a committee member of the Mount Isa Touch Association for many years, and helps keep their grounds in top condition."
Cr Slade said that while Mr Jakeman was now retired, during his years running his building business, Jakeman Constructions he gave generously to many sports and associations in Mount Isa in both monetary form and valuable building advice.
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"Bob is an incredible community role model and truly deserving of this year's Citizen of the Year Award. On behalf of Council and Mount Isa, I sincerely thank him for everything he has done for our community," the mayor said.
Mount Isa City Council have taken the unusual step of naming the award winners in advance this year but the awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held at the Buchanan Park Entertainment Centre from 8.30am on Tuesday, January 26.
Other award winners are as follows:
Young Citizen of the Year: Darcy Ryder
Senior Citizen of the Year: Shelley Howe
Junior Sports Award: Brock Philip
Senior Sports Award: Jerome Sopoaga
Southern Gulf NRM Sarus Crane Award: Paul Johnson
Arts & Culture Award: Sally Prendergast
Community Event of the Year: NAIDOC Week - Mount Isa Recovery Service Centre
Spirit of Mount Isa Awards: Sue Carson and Lorna Fisher
Sixteen conferees will also officially become Australian citizens at the citizenship ceremony on Tuesday morning.
There will also be free entry to Splashez and Outback at Isa including the Riversleigh Fossil Centre on the day.
The conferees are originally from countries including New Zealand, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Fiji, Zimbabwe, India, Thailand and Pakistan.
Locals are welcome to attend the awards presentation and citizenship ceremony but will need to check in via a QR code (smartphone required) upon entry.
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.
