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Ingham Lions Club at the Herbert River RSL for the awards. Photo credit: Victoria Velton
By Victoria Velton
The breadth of sporting talent across the Hinchinbrook community was celebrated last week as the Ingham Lions Club hosted its 2026 Sports Star of the Year Awards.
From young athletes beginning their sporting journeys to experienced competitors and dedicated volunteers, the evening recognised the achievements of individuals and teams across a diverse range of sports.
Community, Cultural and Sports Councillor Donna Marbelli, who joined Australian sprinter Jake Doran and Dean Payne on the judging panel, said the standard of nominations made the task particularly difficult.
“We have an incredible amount of talent across our district, and from our juniors to the seniors, through our masters in teams,” Cr Marbelli said.
Guest speaker Jake Doran, an Australian athletics sprinter, said the awards provided an important opportunity for regional athletes to receive recognition while showing that success in sport does not necessarily mean leaving home.
“How awesome is it to have organisations like the Lions Club to celebrate awesome athletes in our regional communities?” Doran said.
“I think it’s an amazing opportunity to give them the recognition they deserve, but also show them that they can stay local to Ingham and do everything they want to do in their sport at the same time.”
Doran said he was particularly impressed by the young athletes receiving encouragement awards, noting some were already showing remarkable potential.
“I expect to see some professional athletes out of this crop in the future,” he said.
With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, Doran also highlighted the variety of sports represented throughout the evening, including squash, bowls, gymnastics and equestrian events.
“It’s so awesome to see such a broad spectrum of sports done at such a high level in a community like Hinchinbrook,” he said.
Among the evening’s major awards, the Northern Regions Open Boys Squash Team was named Team of the Year. Joshua Gurnick-Stagnitta was named Junior Sportstar of the Year, Lucas Masters took out Senior Sportstar of the Year and Filipe Tabu was named Masters Sportstar of the Year. The Ingham Bowls Club Dunn Cup 4’s Team won Masters Team of the Year.
The awards also acknowledged the volunteers who help keep local sport moving, with Joseph Panizzi receiving the Des Rooker Memorial Recognition for Service Award.
For Lions member Sharon Fighera, who helped organise the evening, the event was only possible because of the contribution of the wider community.
“Without the volunteers like yourselves, our sporting clubs would not exist,” she said.
Fighera also thanked the event’s sponsors and volunteers, as well as the Lions Club committee, for helping bring the celebration together.
The evening served as a reminder that sporting success in Hinchinbrook extends well beyond trophies and results. It is built through athletes, families, coaches, volunteers, clubs and supporters who continue to give their time and encouragement.
As Cr Marbelli said, the district can be “incredibly proud of our local sporting community and the way our athletes represent the Hinchinbrook District."
Award Recipients
Recognition of Service Award:
Winner: Joseph Pennisi
Runner Up: Kim Di Bella
Encouragement: Sarah Castles
Team of the Year:
Winner: Northern Regions Open Boys Squash Team
2nd: GSMC QISSN Netball Team
Encouragement: Hitch N Ride Horse Sports
Junior Sportstar of the Year
Winner: Joshua Gurnick-Stagnitta
Runner Up: Sienna Lyons
Encouragement Award: Emerson Hague, Riley Stokes
Senior Sportstar of the Year
Winner: Lucas Masters
Runner Up: Molly-Rose Gaggiano
Encouragement Award: Summer Christopher, Carter Hague
Masters Sportstar of the Year
Winner: Filipe Tabu
Masters Team of the Year:
Winner: Ingham Bowls Club Dunn Cup 4’s Team
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