Search begins for Gympie Region’s 2026 Senior Citizens of the Year
Published on 07 September 2026
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Gympie Region Senior Citizen of the Year Awards, with Gympie Regional Council calling on residents to help recognise the remarkable seniors making a difference across the region.
The annual awards recognise one male and one female resident aged 60 or over who has made a significant contribution during the past 12 months or provided outstanding service to the local community over many years.
The awards are held each year as part of Queensland Seniors Month in October, which celebrates older Queenslanders, the many ways they contribute to their communities, and the importance of creating opportunities for seniors to stay connected, active and involved.
Mayor Glen Hartwig said the awards were an opportunity to shine a light on older residents whose contributions continued to make a difference across the region.
“Our seniors have helped shape the communities we enjoy today and continue to make an enormous contribution right across our region,” Mayor Hartwig said.
“They are the volunteers who keep local clubs and community groups going, the neighbours and family members others can rely on, the custodians of our history and traditions, and the people passing a lifetime of knowledge and experience on to younger generations.
“Much of that contribution happens quietly, without any expectation of recognition or thanks, and these awards give us an opportunity to celebrate those residents and the difference they have made.
“There will be someone in every community across our region who deserves to be recognised. If someone comes to mind, I encourage you to nominate them.”
2025 Female Senior Citizen of the Year Mary Devlin said receiving the award was a wonderful and unexpected honour.
“Like many others, I’ve always believed in giving my time and helping where I can in our district. I’ve never done these things for awards or accolades, but because I hope to encourage and inspire others to pursue their interests and make their own worthwhile contribution to our community,” Mrs Devlin said.
“Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to do that in many different ways, through teaching, my 33 years with the Gympie Choral Group, the young people’s Fun Makers Club, and more recently through publishing my collection of poems, The Keeper of My Soul.
“What I think is so important about these awards and Seniors Month is that they give us an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the contribution of all our seniors. It doesn’t matter whether that contribution is large or small, or whether it is something everyone sees or something very few people know about. It all matters.
“The awards are also a lovely reminder to appreciate and thank the seniors who make a difference in our lives and communities throughout the year.
“I would encourage residents to think about the seniors they know and nominate someone who has made a difference in their own way. There are so many wonderful seniors who would never expect to be recognised, which is all the more reason for someone else to put their name forward.”
Nominations for the 2026 Gympie Region Senior Citizen of the Year Awards close at 5pm on Monday 19 October.
The 2026 award winners will be announced at the Gympie Region Seniors Expo on Thursday 29 October at The Pavilion Conference and Reception Centre.
For more information: Seniors | Gympie Regional Council