Southern Downs Regional Council has announced two community members as the recipients of the 2019 Southern Downs Citizen of the Year and Southern Downs Youth Citizen of the Year awards, Nancy De Prada and Grace Quach.
Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie congratulated the winners on behalf of everyone across the Southern Downs. “This is an opportunity to say thank you and to formally acknowledge the recipients’ service and dedication to our region and the way in which they enrich our community. Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees. These individuals proudly represent and capture the community spirit of the Southern Downs and what it means to be Australian.”
Nancy De Prada, Southern Downs Citizen of the Year, awarded the Southern Downs top Australia Day honours for her tireless dedication and selfless commitment to the community as a part of a number of organisations, clubs and events. The true community spirited person, Nancy is dedicated with a strong sense of duty and a vibrant, bubbly personality. In a letter penned to Southern Downs Regional Council supporting Nancy’s nomination, Warwick Netball Secretary, Linda Bunch said Nancy was a guiding force and wonderful voice of reason and clarification.
“Nancy is a most deserved winner as she is first and foremost extremely important and valued by us but also she is the epitome of a true community spirited person,” Linda said. “Her knowledge and skills she brings to us through her life experiences, work and the many, many other associations, committees and community groups she shares herself with, is vitally beneficial to and welcomed by Warwick Netball. Award or not, Nancy is already a winner in our eyes.”
Grace Quach, Southern Downs Youth Citizen of the Year was chosen for her outstanding service to the community, from volunteering and spending time with the elderly, to organising youth events and fundraising. Cr Dobie said Grace’s achievements and contribution to the community reflect the Australian spirit. “Grace is a role model for not only our region’s youth but for everyone in our community and is very worthy of being named Southern Downs Youth Citizen of the Year,” Cr Dobie said. The 2018 Warwick Christian College Vice-Captain and Lyndon House Captain regularly tutors younger students at the College and organises youth events such as Boom Dance in Brisbane and the Iron and Clay dance in Warwick. Grace is also a Junior Youth Leader at King’s City Church Youth Group and the local organiser of Warwick Youth Connect 2018.
Readers also enjoyed our round up of Australia Day events around the region.
