Cook Shire’s 2023 Young Citizen of the Year, Alec Stemmler, is calling for the region’s unsung heroes to be recognised with a nomination for the 2024 awards. Photo: Sarah Martin
With just one week left to nominate, Cook Shire’s 2023 Young Citizen of the Year has urged people to nominate the region’s unsung community legends for the 2024 Australia Day Awards.
Lakeland State Emergency Services first responder Alec Stemmler said his nomination for the 2023 awards came as a surprise.
“I was excited to be nominated, it was a nice gesture from whoever nominated me,” Mr Stemmler said.
“And I definitely wasn’t expecting to be a winner, but it was a really nice recognition of what I do.”
Mr Stemmler said there were plenty of other community members who were deserving of recognition.
“I would definitely encourage people to nominate someone, there are so many people out there who do what they do, not for recognition, but who do deserve that recognition,” he said.
Nominees must live in Cook Shire and be Australian Citizens to be nominated for the six award categories: Citizen, Young Citizen, Volunteer, Sports, Arts and Culture and Environment.
Nominations close on Monday 27 November and can be made online at www.cook.qld.gov.au/community/events/australia-day or paper forms are available at Council’s office and libraries.
