GALLERY | Cook Shire recognises outstanding citizens
AUSTRALIA DAY 2019
Cook Shire Council has awarded Indigenous advocate Maureen Liddy Citizen of the Year at the annual Australia Day celebrations at the Cooktown Botanical Gardens.
Ms Liddy, who was unable to attend the ceremony due to flooding, was awarded the honour in recognition of her work improving the lives of Indigenous people in the Cook Shire.
Her nomination describes her as a “tireless worker, change facilitator and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Coen and across Cape York.”
Ms Liddy has an extensive and inspiring background in education, health and mental health advocacy in regions across Queensland’s far north.
She is a team leader at the Apunipima Coen Well-Being Centre and is a support worker and volunteer for the annual Conquer the Corrugations Mental Health Awareness walk.
She also won the people’s choice “Spirit of the Walk” award in 2018 for her determination to walk the entire 42km event.
Ms Liddy is also a driver of the Coen Palliative Care project, a leader at the Coen Women’s Support Centre and has previously worked as a Family Responsibilities Commissioner.
She has also held positions in regional schools including Deputy Principal at Bloomfield school and Principal at Coen and Hope Vale schools.
The council also awarded the region’s Young Citizen of the Year to Dylan Gilmore, who is an active member of the Cooktown Junior Rugby League Club.
Mr Gilmore started at the club as a player and is now in a coaching role where he acts as mentor and role model to the younger members of the club.
Other awards on the day went to:
The Sports Award - Cooktown Junior Rugby League Club
Volunteer of the Year - Marilyn Morris
Arts and Culture Award - Cooktown Historical Society
Environment Award - Councillor Alan Wilson, who was instrumental in bringing in the Container Refund Scheme in Queensland.
The event was attended by about 100 people who braved the wet and windy conditions to honour the award recipients and welcome new citizens Laura Armstrong and Emma Jackson, who have both been Cook Shire residents for a number of years.
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