The Sunshine Coast’s quiet achievers have taken centre stage at the 2026 Australia Day Community Awards, with local volunteers, leaders and organisations recognised for the powerful impact they have on the region and beyond.
This year’s awards attracted 113 nominations from across the Sunshine Coast, spanning communities from Kenilworth to Caloundra and Beerwah to Buderim, highlighting the depth of grassroots commitment across the region.
During a ceremony on January 23, Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the collective contribution of nominees and recipients reflected the true spirit of the Coast.
“These awards pay tribute to the volunteers, groups and quiet achievers whose kindness, resilience and vision make our community a better place,” Mayor Natoli said.
“I offer sincere thanks and congratulations to all our 2026 recipients. Your efforts embody the true values of our community and inspire others to take action.”
Academic, philanthropist and founder of international charity Hair Aid, Selina Tomasich, was named Citizen of the Year for her sustained, life-changing work locally and overseas.
After witnessing extreme poverty in the Philippines in 2010, Ms Tomasich established Hair Aid with a simple but transformative idea – teaching haircutting skills to help people generate income and independence.
The charity now delivers five-day training programs across Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines and Guatemala, equipping participants with professional tools, mentoring and the skills to launch micro-businesses that support families, fund education and break cycles of poverty.
Closer to home, Hair Aid Community Cuts operates at almost 100 locations nationally, delivering more than 25,000 free haircuts each year to Australians experiencing homelessness, domestic violence or financial hardship.
Ms Tomasich’s work has received global recognition, including multiple Stevie Awards, top-three placement in the Telstra Business Awards, and personal honours such as Female Innovator of the Year and Australia Day Ambassador. In 2022, she was named Central Queensland University Alumnus of the Year for Social Impact.
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Senior Citizens of the Year honours were awarded to Phil and Di Wilson, who have devoted more than three decades to foster care. The couple has welcomed more than 200 foster children into their home, many with complex needs, and have adopted 10 children, some with disabilities.
Young Citizen of the Year Jessica Cronin was recognised for her leadership and community service. Ms Cronin has led initiatives supporting families escaping domestic violence, delivered school-based literacy programs, coordinated major stationery drives donating 270 kilograms of supplies and championed the UN Global Goals through her ‘2030 in Focus’ project. Her work has earned national and international recognition.
The Community Group or Organisation Award went to Lookout07, a purpose-built youth sanctuary founded by Dr Leon Stensholm. Since opening in 2023, the centre has welcomed more than 15,000 young people and delivered over 20,000 free counselling sessions, offering recreation, mentoring and mental health support. A Lookout Flexi School is set to launch in 2026.
In the Creative Arts category, judges awarded a tie between Kenilworth Arts Council and Gretchen Keelty. Established in 1988, Kenilworth Arts Council has expanded arts participation west of the range through festivals, workshops and awards. Ms Keelty has united the region’s arts community through inclusive projects such as Sculpture on the Edge and the Buddina Ocean Chair mosaic mural, involving more than 450 collaborators.
The Healthy and Active award was also shared, with recognition going to Bamboo Projects and The Parkinson’s Centre. Bamboo Projects delivers volunteer-run, nature-based activities that support mental health and reduce isolation, while The Parkinson’s Centre provides the region’s first dedicated allied health hub for Parkinson’s, supporting at least 400 people each week.
A Posthumous Award was presented to June Upton, who was known as the ‘Sunshine Coast Charity Queen’. Over her lifetime, Ms Upton helped raise more than $4 million for local causes and tirelessly advocated for families in need.
More information about the Sunshine Coast Australia Day Community Awards recipients and nominees is available on Council’s website.
