Inspiring achievements honoured at Paroo Shire's Australia Day Awards
Published on 26 January 2026
Inspiring achievements honoured at Paroo Shire's Australia Day Awards 2026
At the Australia Day Awards in Cunnamulla today, Mayor Suzette Beresford and Emeritus Professor Roland (Roly) Sussex OAM, an Australian Day Ambassador, had the privilege of awarding the Paroo Shire’s 2026 awards.
"Today’s Australia Day Award recipients have demonstrated leadership, enhanced the lives of people in their communities and have acted as inspiring role models for others.
We have a wonderful community here in Paroo Shire because of people like our Australia Day Award nominees who volunteer their time and energy to help others,” Councillor Beresford said.
The 2026 Paroo Shire Australia Day Award Recipients are:
- Citizen of the Year – Benjamin Dunsdon
- Young Citizen of the Year – Stella Mitchell
- Sports Award – Henry Land
- Community or Cultural Event of the Year – Cunnamulla & District Show Society
Image L-R:
Emeritus Professor Roland (Roly) Sussex OAM, Corissa Jackson, Amy Palmer (Cunnamulla & District Show), Benjamin Dunsdon, Henry Land, Councillor Suzette Beresford. Absent Stella Mitchell.
Citizen of the Year
When the rains came in March 2025, the Paroo Shire was swallowed by water. Rivers and creeks burst their banks, paddocks became lakes, and thousands of head of cattle and sheep were stranded. Families worried not only for their homes but for their livelihoods tied to their stock.
In the middle of the chaos, one man’s efforts stood out. rose above literally. Ben Dunsdon, a grazier and helicopter pilot, took to the skies. From dawn until dusk, his chopper skimmed over the floodwaters checking on isolated and stranded animals.
He wasn't just flying; he was a lifeline and lookout. He guided graziers to higher ground, coordinated with locals to move stock and reassured those cut off by the flood that help was near. His efforts saved thousands of animals and gave hope to the community staring down devastation.
People spoke of Ben as the man who turned the tide, not by stopping the flood, but by saving what mattered most lives, livelihoods, and the spirt of the bush.
His bravery, selflessness and dedication during the March flood 2025 crisis reflect the highest ideals of service to others.
Young Citizen of the Year
Stella Mitchell is a young Kooma woman who has excelled in the Beyond Bronco's Community Program for Indigenous High School girls.
Stella applied to be part of the Future Voices Leader Program. Over 120 Grade 11 and 12 students from across Australia applied and only 20 were selected. Stella being one of them.
Through her trip to Canberra and the experience she gained, she has demonstrated to our community the opportunities available for our youth.
Stella was a very shy young lady going to Parliament House in Canberra. However, she stood up in front of a room full of politicians to deliver an Acknowledgment of Country and she has since spoken on TV for Get Ready Queensland Week.
This young Cunnamulla woman is making a huge difference and has become a peer and mentor for younger Indigenous girls in our community. She is always offering help, never says no, is always honest and open, and she truly deserves this award.
Sports Award
Henry Land has demonstrated that daring to dream can become a reality. Restarting the game of junior cricket in town has been no mean feat - but Cunnamulla now sports a team with a unique story. Henry was the catalyst for this when he saw that the community was in the need of a cricket team, so he took it upon himself. He coaxed friends to the nets after school and gradually built numbers, and so the Cunnamulla Emus Junior Cricket Club was born - the first cricket club in the town in over 30 years.
The cricket club has provided the younger members of the Cunnamulla community with a safe, structured, and inclusive environment for sport, physical activity, and connection.
Henry's commitment and leadership have been formally recognised at a national level where he was awarded the Cricket Australia Young Leader of the Year. This recognised his passion for the game and his drive to encourage his peers to join with him in one of Australia's greatest sporting and social activities. As a result, many of Cunnamulla's younger community members have been welcomed to experience the pride of being a member of a cricket team.
Henry's resolve, resilience and an "If not, why not?" attitude have made many people sit up and take notice. He has, through his actions been a positive catalyst of change for the benefit of not only the younger members of the Cunnamulla community but also its adults.
Moving towards the future, Australia needs more Henrys - young people who are willing to stand up, do the hard yards, accept knock backs and then continue to create change for the benefit of their peers and the community. Through his initiative, he has not only revived junior cricket in Cunnamulla, but created a lasting legacy that builds connection, health, and belonging for our youth in Cunnamulla.
Community or Cultural Event of the Year
The 2025 Cunnamulla Show stands as a remarkable story of community resilience, revival, and pride. After several challenging years and the disappointment of the show not going ahead in 2024, the newly rejuvenated 2025 event exceeded all expectations. It not only revived a much-loved local tradition but reunited the community’s spirit, proving just how powerful teamwork and passion can be in rural Australia.
What makes the 2025 Cunnamulla Show so deserving of the Community Event of the Year Award is the extraordinary effort behind its comeback. Once in decline, with waning participation and uncertainty about its future, the event returned stronger than ever thanks to a dedicated volunteer committee, local sponsors, and the tireless support of the wider community. The result was an outstanding weekend that drew record crowds, celebrated local identity, and reminded everyone why the Cunnamulla Show is such a valued part of the Paroo Shire’s heritage.
This year’s event offered a vibrant mix of tradition and innovation. Classic agricultural competitions and livestock displays were complemented by engaging entertainment, food stalls, live music, and family activities. The focus on local produce, handmade crafts, and regional talent gave the show a genuine grassroots feel, while the addition of new attractions helped broaden its appeal to younger audiences and visitors from neighbouring towns. The atmosphere was one of excitement, pride and gratitude – a celebration not only of rural life but of the community’s determination to bring it back to life.
Beyond the entertainment, the 2025 Cunnamulla Show played a vital social role. In a remote region where community gatherings are precious, the event provided a much-needed opportunity for connection, laughter, and shared purpose. It boosted morale, supported small local businesses, and attracted visitors who contributed to the local economy.
The success of the 2025 show is a testament to the strength of community spirit in the Paroo Shire. It represents renewal – a story of locals coming together to rebuild something special and make it even better than before. Through dedication, creativity, and inclusivity, the show has reclaimed its place as the highlight of the Cunnamulla calendar and a symbol of what can be achieved when a community works as one.