Annette Jarrett's contribution to the Cairns community spanning two decades and incorporating roles with the Leukaemia Foundation, FNQ Hospital Foundation, and the Northern Pride Rugby League Club, has been recognised with the city's highest honour.
Described as a remarkable role model whose dedication to community service and volunteerism sets a high standard for others to follow, Ms Jarrett was today named Cairns Regional Council's Citizen of the Year.
The Australia Day Awards ceremony was held at Munro Martin Parklands today, followed by a free family concert featuring a host of local performers.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the Australia Day Awards recognise the efforts of people in the community who enhanced the lives of others and enriched the Cairns community.
"These individuals often go about their business quietly, without the expectation or aspiration of receiving recognition," Cr Eden said.
"The Awards acknowledge our unsung heroes, who through their contributions make our city a better place to live.
"They are unselfish, altruistic, and creative. They embody the Aussie spirit.
"They don't seek acknowledgement, but they wholeheartedly deserve it."
Kaylee Canton was named Young Citizen of the Year for using sport to improve inclusivity for people with a disability, while Claudio Di Bartolomeo was the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award for his passion to share and preserve Italian culture in the region.
A special Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the Piccone Family in recognition of the family's lifetime connection to Cairns and unerring generosity and support for the community.
Highly commented certificates were also presented to Georgina Sesto (Citizen of the Year) and Ella Fisher (Young Citizen of the Year).
The SES Australia Day Awards were also presented at the event by Mayor Eden and Matt Currey, SES Area Controller for the Far Northern Region.
The awards were presented to:
- Bethany Sarles Deputy Group Leader, Holloways Beach, for exemplary service to the Holloways Beach community as a member of the Queensland SES
- Binjira Nolan-Mundraby, Field Operations Member, Edmonton, for tireless efforts during Tropical Cyclone Jasper and Jardin River Search
- Craig Mann-Jones, Leading Field Operations Member, for dedication to volunteering at Edmonton SES Group
- Sharon Pedersen, Leading Field Operations Member, for continual dedication to the training of the volunteers of Far Norther Region Queensland SES, and
- Gary Chapman, Deputy Group Leader Buchan Point, for his commitment to community safety in work and development of SES response to potential incidents on the newly developed Wangetti Trial.
COUNCIL AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD RECIPIENTS
Annette Jarrett – Citizen of the Year
The dedicated mother of two has successfully balanced the demands of family, work, and her passion for volunteering and contributing to various organisations for the past two decades.
Ms Jarrett served for 12 years with the Leukaemia Foundation as the fundraising coordinator, which involved managing three major events each year in Far North – The World's Greatest Shave, Light the Night, and U.G.L.Y. Bartender.
This was in addition to monthly local fundraising events, such as the Cairns Craft Fair, which she successfully coordinated for 10 years.
Ms Jarrett also worked at the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation for four years, initially as the fundraising coordinator before serving as volunteer program manager for three years.
In this role, she coordinated 100 volunteers at the hospital each week and managed the "Friends of the Foundation" groups.
These groups comprised of external fundraising teams attached to hospitals in the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service network, including locations like Cooktown, Cow Bay, Mareeba, Gordonvale, Mossman, Croydon, Innisfail, Herberton, Atherton, Tully, and Weipa.
A passionate supporter of local rugby league, she has been a dedicated volunteer for the Northern Pride Rugby League Club since 2019.
For a several years she served as the corporate box host, proudly calling herself the "Director of First Impressions" and was immensely passionate about ensuring that all sponsors and clients felt comfortable, welcomed, and enjoyed the game day experience.
Ms Jarrett also currently serves as the secretary of the Kangaroos Junior Rugby League Club, where she plays a crucial role in sponsorship acquisition and grant writing.
Recently, she secured a $58,000 grant to refurbish the club's canteen, which is essential as it serves as the main revenue stream for the organisation. She also successfully obtained a grant from the Cairns Regional Council for a number of years to assist with aerating the fields.
Additionally, she organises the Tassell Trophy Challenge, a major junior rugby league carnival held in September each year that attracts over 30 teams from across Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Ms Jarett's generosity and empathy make her an exemplary figure and a true asset to the Cairns community.
Kaylea Canton – Young Citizen of the Year
Student leader, sports captain, volunteer, and passionate advocate for enhancing inclusion for people with a disability, Kaylea Canton has been named Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year.
A passionate young sportsperson, the former Gordonvale State High School student (who completed Year 12 in 2024), has over the past two years developed and delivered a program to support and encourage students with a disability to engage in sport.
Through her role as a member of the Queensland Representative School Sport (QRSS) Student Advisory Committee, she identified an opportunity to improve inclusiveness through the avenue of sport, particularly through touch football.
While she initially encouraged students with a disability to take part in class activities and sporting events, Kaylea was eager to offer more opportunities for inclusiveness through a formalised program.
The result was the Multi-Class Touch Football Project, which provided Kaylea a pathway to plan and deliver sessions to suit and support all students, catering to a range of disabilities, and ultimately ensure active participate.
For example, she used a goalball (ball with bells) for students with a vision impairment, and also modified rules to enhance involvement and enjoyment.
The program has thus far been delivered to more than 200 students across 20 sessions.
As part of the QRSS Student Advisory Committee, she travelled to Brisbane for networking, spoken at board meetings and shared her ideas and implementation of her multi-class touch football project.
In recognition of her multi-class touch football project, Kaylea received the National Australian Olympic Change Maker Award and travelled to Canberra for the National Summit where she met Olympians and worked in a focus group with gold medal swimmer Zac Stubblety-Cook to power the change.
As a Gordonvale State High School sport captain, she inspired students to get involved and under her leadership, the Jama House claimed the prestigious Senior House Cup.
She was also the 2024 Robin Duncan recipient at Gordonvale State High School, recognising sportsmanship on and off the field.
She has also volunteered at numerous events and helped fundraise for different charities.
Claudio Di Bartolomeo – Volunteer of the Year
Claudio Di Bartolomeo has been recognised for his contributions to the community through his volunteer work with numerous cultural, environmental, and community organisations.
As a founding member of the Cairns Italian Festival, Mr Di Bartolomeo has been instrumental in uniting the Italian community and preserving cultural traditions.
Now president of the Cairns Italian Festival, his passion for sharing and preserving the Italian culture has been highlighted through roles with the Dante Alighieri Society and the Comitato Italiani all'Estero (The Committee for Italians abroad), as well as his work with the Italian Consulate in Brisbane to secure funding for multiple events in our region.
His work in this area was recognised in 2023, when he was named Young Italian of the Year as part of the Cairns Italian Festival Hall of Fame Awards.
Over the years, Mr Di Bartolomeo has assisted many young migrants by helping them find accommodation and employment, and even supporting sponsorship opportunities though his business network and community ties.
In addition to his cultural work, he has a commitment to environmental sustainability, demonstrated through his roles with the Climate Reality Leadership Corps, Parlay for the Oceans, Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, and the Fitzroy Island Rehabilitation Centre.
Additionally, he is dedicated to promoting health and wellbeing through his involvement with Relay for Life, the Biggest Morning Tea, Shave for a Cure, and is also a passionate ambassador for the promotion of men's mental health, openly sharing his own struggles and breaking down stigmas around seeking help.
Piccone Family – Lifetime Achievement Award
The Piccone name has been synonymous with Cairns for decades and today the family was honoured with Council's prestigious Australia Day Lifetime Achievement Award.
Last year, the Piccones sold their two IGA supermarkets at Edmonton and Manoora as brothers John and Peter Piccone retired, bringing to an end a family legacy that started with Italian immigrants, Luigi and Anna, over 90 years ago.
The couple initially settled in Ingham and then Babinda, but the search for a town with less rain brought them to Edmonton, where they acquired a share in a butcher shop in 1930.
Their son Louie (Lou), born in 1934, took over management of the Piccone business in 1957, which by then had expanded into a grocery store.
Lou would go on to be recognised as one of the most charitable and respected businessmen in the Far North, until his death in July 2020.
His passion for supporting the community was similarly embraced by his children, and the Piccone family has a legacy focused on giving back and assisting Far North Queensland.
Over the decades, millions of dollars have been donated to schools and local sporting, community and charity groups, much if it through the Community Benefits Program, which set aside up to $200,000 a year to help the community and improve the lives of residents.
They were also active in supporting the community in the aftermath of the flooding associated with Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023.
Notably contributions have also been made to local organisations over the years, such as the Cairns Taipans NBL team, the Leukemia Foundation, FNQ Hospital Foundation, Lions Club, the Mayor's Christmas Cheer Appeal and the Cairns Italian Festival.
Always among the first to put their hand up when needed, the Piccone family has a lifelong connection the Cairns community.
Their generosity has not only supported numerous organisations and made a significant difference for countless people, but it has also inspired others to dig deep and provide support at times of need.
