Minute With The Mayor Ramon Jayo 27 January

WHAT AUSTRALIA DAY MEANS TO ME

Australia Day means something different to each of us. It’s shaped by who we are, where we’ve come from, and the path that led us to call this place home.

No two stories are the same — yet we all stand together in a country that values the voices, beliefs and contributions of its people.

And really, that’s the heart of Australia Day.

It’s a chance to pause and think about who we are as a nation, and the kind of nation we want to keep becoming.

It’s a day to gather with family, friends and community, to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy, and to recognise the story we’re all part of — a story that keeps growing, changing and strengthening. Our history, our identity, and above all, our people.

And if there’s one thing we do well here in Hinchinbrook, it’s look after one another.

That spirit was on full display yesterday as we recognised our Australia Day Award winners and those who went above and beyond during the January–February 2025 floods.

This year’s 2026 Australia Day Honours List recognises Dan Cordner, Local Controller for the Halifax SES, with an Achievement Award.

He has been acknowledged for his outstanding leadership, training, operational support, and his unwavering commitment to the Queensland State Emergency Service and the wider community.

Dan’s contribution to our region is nothing short of extraordinary.

Dan worked for weeks on end during the 2025 floods, often in deteriorating conditions, sometimes isolated from support and even his own family.

He prepared his community, carried out evacuations, responded to requests for help, and when he finally got a moment to breathe, he deployed elsewhere to support other flood‑affected regions and those impacted by TC Alfred.

All year, Dan has been the same — selfless with his time, calm under pressure, forward‑thinking and deeply committed to protecting Queensland communities.

We’re incredibly fortunate to have people like him leading local disaster response.

Dan also joins a group of 24 Flood Hero Recognition recipients honoured yesterday.

These remarkable community members are: Evlyn Bailey, Victor Bligh, Robert Bonassi, Kerri Ann Burnell, Ian Cameron, Daniel Castorina, Travis Cauchi, Carina Chesson, Madeleine D’Urso, Francis Debono, Keldon Fletcher, Andrew Giliberto, Joe and Luke (Halifax Hotel), Ingham Lions Club, Russell Kealy, Paul Longbottom, Jeff McMurray, Robert Morris, Don Pollock, Greg Sexton, Luke Shepherdson, Gio Tantalo and Luke Venables.

To every one of you – thank you. You showed what community really means.

I also want to acknowledge our Australia Day Award winners.

These individuals make our region tick, and their dedication — day in and day out — is what makes this community strong:

Citizen of the Year – Leonardo “Lenny” Chiesa
Young Citizen of the Year – Gemma Di Bella
Beryl Prior Award – Sam Cosentino
Individual Achievement Award – Rina Zatta
Senior Cultural Award – Janice Carr
Junior Cultural Award – Indiana Guy
Junior Sports Award – Liam Fascetti and Levi Murray (dual winners)


We are lucky. Truly lucky to have so many outstanding people in this community.

Their actions, their generosity, their commitment … it’s what makes me proud to be Mayor of the Hinchinbrook Shire.

Thank you to all our nominees, our winners, and every quiet achiever who chips away, helping to make this place a better one.

What you do matters. More than you know.