Somerset Australia Day Awards 2025
Published on 24 January 2025
Denise’s love for Kilcoy earns her Citizen of the Year
SOMERSET Citizen of the Year 2025 Denise Modistach loves Kilcoy and its people.
The longstanding resident and retired nurse of 40 years has continued serving the Kilcoy district through her community service and the preservation of the town’s rich history.
Denise received the prestigious title at Somerset Regional Council’s Australia Day Award Ceremony on Friday, 24 January at the Somerset Civic Centre.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said Denise was well known in the Kilcoy and Somerset community for the time she has given to various community groups.
“Denise gives countless hours to the Kilcoy Hospital Auxiliary, Kilcoy District Progress Alliance and is one of the founders and current members of Friends of the Kilcoy Cemetery,” Cr Wendt said.
“She has also organised the children’s mud pie competition at the Kilcoy Show for many years, bringing the younger generation in and keeping the spirit of the Show alive.
“Her commitment to the history of Kilcoy is unsurpassed, as she shares stories and images freely to help preserve the memory of the town and its people.
“Through her work with Friends of the Kilcoy Cemetery, almost 200 graves have been cleaned and maintained on top of garden improvements.
“As a result, the community group received an encouragement award for the 2024 Somerset Garden Competition.”
Cr Wendt said Denise’s work brought people together.
“Denise runs a Facebook community page with more than 16,000 members, where she promotes businesses and community events, provides vital links to mental health and medical support, supports fundraisers, and advocates for the people of Kilcoy,” Cr Wendt said.
“As a Justice of the Peace she is always first to offer her free time to support those in need.”
Cr Wendt said Kilcoy was lucky to have Denise.
“Each committee and community group Denise has joined have benefited from her dedication,” Cr Wendt said.
“Every town could use someone like Denise, and Kilcoy and the wider Somerset community are privileged to have her.
“She is more than worthy of the title of 2025 Citizen of the Year, and we thank her for all she does for Somerset.”
Other Citizen of the Year nominees included Heather Schiefelbein, Natalie Lord, Roy Smith, David Moffett, Eugenie Burkhardt, Garry Fitzgerald, Kerri Melville, Yvonne Hawkins and Jaye Lea Francis.
Somerset Citizen of the Year 2025 Denise Modistach with Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt at the Australia Day Awards Ceremony held Friday, 24 January at the Somerset Civic Centre.
Grace Jardine scores Sports Award
WHETHER she’s in the pool, kicking the footy or racing the clock with her compass, young Somerset athlete Grace Jardine has a bright future in sport.
The Toogoolawah State High School student was awarded Somerset Regional Council’s Sports Award 2025, recognising her many talents and dedication.
Grace won numerous awards in 2024 for her athleticism, including her school’s Sports Women of the Year, Age Champion, Cross Country Age Champion, Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award, and Somerset Regional Council’s All-Rounder of the Year Award.
Grace is also the Toogoolawah SHS Coleman House Sports Captain for 2025 and achieves high levels in other academic subjects.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said Grace was involved in swimming, AFL, netball, triathlon and orienteering.
“Grace loves sharing her knowledge and skills with others and did voluntary work at Toogoolawah Swimming Pool before becoming a qualified squad coach and learn-to-swim teacher,” Cr Wendt said.
“She has represented Somerset incredibly at state and national levels, including as a Darling Downs rep for AFL in 2021, 2022 and 2023, making high level triathlon teams in 2023, 2024 and also going to states in 2025.
“Grace has also represented Queensland in 2023 and 2024 for orienteering, a challenging sport which requires athleticism, intelligence and navigation.”
Cr Wendt said Grace was an inspiration to young people and athletes in Somerset.
“Grace performs at such high skill levels without losing sight of her Somerset community, showing kindness and professionalism beyond her years,” Cr Wendt said.
“She proves our rural junior sportspeople can be great achievers, so long as they work hard and focus on their goals.”
Somerset Sports Award 2025 recipient Grace Jardine at the Australia Day Awards Ceremony held Friday, 24 January at the Somerset Civic Centre.
Kilcoy Christmas Carnival is 2025 Event of the Year
SINCE 2018, a dedicated community group have worked hard to provide an ever-improving event for the Kilcoy community.
For their efforts, the Kilcoy Christmas Carnival has been awarded Somerset Regional Council’s Event of the Year 2025.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the carnival was an annual highlight for the people of Kilcoy.
“The Kilcoy Christmas Carnival provides a night out for the whole family at absolutely no cost,” Cr Wendt said.
“The committee fundraises all year and seeks sponsorship to make sure each year is better than the last, and they always deliver.
“Many families come home to Kilcoy just for this carnival, partly for the free rides and activities but mostly for the welcoming and inclusive environment.
“The carnival also has plenty of opportunities for the community’s input with Aloaka Kilcoy Care Centre residents making decorations and performances from C&K Kilcoy Community Kindergarten, NCC Early Learners, Kilcoy State School, Mt Kilcoy State School and Evolution Dance Studio.”
Cr Wendt congratulated the committee for their efforts.
“This is a great event and a deserving recipient for Somerset’s Event of the Year 2025,” Cr Wendt said.
Somerset Event of the Year 2025 was awarded to the Kilcoy Christmas Carnival. Pictured: committee members Estela Amber, Jaye-Lea Francis and Calli Ihle.
Lowood group awarded for service to community
LOWOOD Community Action Group (LCAG) was awarded Community Group of the Year 2025 at Somerset Regional Council’s Australia Day Awards Ceremony on Friday, 24 January.
The group has provided support for people experiencing domestic violence and youth experiencing homelessness for many years.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the LCAG provides essential items like tents, warm clothes and pillows to people in need.
“They are unwavering in their commitment to the people of Lowood,” Cr Wendt said.
“The LCAG are available to help those facing difficulty and play a role in fostering a safer, more compassionate community.”
Cr Wendt said the group’s members were always ready to lend a hand.
“The group’s strength lies in the individuals who selflessly give their time for fundraising and engagement with the community,” Cr Wendt said.
“The Lowood Community Action Group is an inspiration to the Somerset region.”
Other Community Group of the Year nominees included Kilcoy District Progress Alliance and Lowood Show Society Inc.
Somerset Community Event of the Year 2025 was awarded to the Lowood Community Action Group. Pictured: LCAG members Lauren Watts, Jennie Martin and Jaqueline Huskinson.
Writing passion earns Donita Arts and Culture Award
DONITA Bundy is more than just a writer.
The Somerset author has been the leader, teacher, convenor, mentor and producer of the Somerset Writers Group (SWG) since its inception in 2018.
Her passion for the written word and her love of sharing this passion has earned Donita Somerset Regional Council’s Arts and Culture Award 2025.
Through the SWG, Donita has encouraged and developed more than 30 writers from Esk, Fernvale and Kilcoy on a volunteer basis.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said Donita’s love of writing and commitment to the group was admirable.
“In the past year she has edited and produced the fifth edition of a printed book from the SWG, and written and published her own works,” Cr Wendt said.
“This year's book, ‘Return’ has 57 stories and poems from nine writers and is available for sale and through Somerset Libraries.
“She also leads writing retreats and teaching sessions, most notably the Council’s Fire, Famine and Flood Workshop, from which the SWG will publish a book entitled ‘Lost’ in 2025.”
A professional teacher of English and creative writing, Donita has freely and generously shared her knowledge and skills in writing, editing and publishing with SWG members.
Cr Wendt said many members of the SWG had not written since school days.
“They are now high-quality writers thanks to Donita’s support and feedback,” Cr Wendt said.
“Her leadership has helped some writers come to terms with difficult events in their past through writing, while for others the publication of their work has been a milestone in personal development.
“Donita’s devotion to writing and supporting writers is incredible and Somerset is lucky to have her.”
Somerset Arts and Culture Award 2025 recipient Donita Bundy with Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt at the Australia Day Awards Ceremony held Friday, 24 January at the Somerset Civic Centre.
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