The visionary behind the establishment of the Mossman Gorge Centre has taken out the Cairns region’s top Australia Day honour.

Roy Gibson was named as 2013 Citizen of the Year during a pre-Australia Day function at Cairns Regional Council on Friday night.

Mr Gibson – a member of the Mossman Gorge Kuku Yalanji community – had a vision more than 30 years ago to create a platform from which to showcase the unique and beautiful Mossman Gorge area.

He saw the potential of this facility as not just a tourist attraction, but as an opportunity for the people of his Yalanji community to empower themselves through employment.

Pictured: A proud moment - the opening of the Mossman Gorge Centre in 2012.

Having been instrumental in establishing the Indigenous Corporation Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku, he was the driving force behind projects such as the Kuku Yalanji Cultural Walks Business, which helped his community to engage visitors to the area and creates employment.
 
Many years and accolades later, Mr Gibson set about bringing his original vision to fruition and inspired the establishment of the Mossman Gorge Centre, which opened its doors last year.

AWARD RECIPIENTS

Citizen of the Year – Roy Gibson
Young Citizen of the Year – Felicity Honnef
Cultural Award – Georgia Balchin
Volunteer of the Year – Janet Corcoran.
Sportsperson of the Year – Emma Morgan
Junior Sportsperson of the Year – Andrew Phelps