The 2021 QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards ceremony, held in Townsville, was a huge success and enjoyed by all who attended.
The event saw our award winners recognised by the community for the remarkable impact they have in the Queensland Police, Fire, Health, Public Service and Justice sectors.
Watch the highlights of the event here.
Following two years that have brought unprecedented challenges, QBANK CEO Mike Currie said the award recipients and finalists have made incredible contributions to their respective industries and put their lives on the line for their community.
“The last two years has seen our communities tested by floods, fires, extreme weather, and a global pandemic, all of which has made for an incredibly demanding time for our frontline services and emergency teams,” Mr Currie said
“On behalf of the Queensland community, we want to thank them for displaying the great character and commitment our frontline services are known for.”
The six award categories include Achievement, Ownership, Dedication, Working Together, Excellence and the Young Everyday Hero Award. We were proud to see so many nominations come through and to have most of the finalists in attendance on the day.
We’d like to congratulate the QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards winners for 2021:
Achievement – TREVOR TURNER | Queensland Rural Fire Service
For more than 20 years, Trevor has led the local Mt. Alford Rural Fire Brigade. Also in charge of the Boonah Group, Trevor works tirelessly in the area, often to the detriment of his own farming enterprise. His local knowledge is outstanding, as is the high regard in which he is held. During the 2019-2020 Fire Season, he spent more than 70 days straight leading in the field, leaving his wife to try to keep their property running. Often he managed on 3 to 4 hours sleep, never forgetting his commitment to the local community. In addition to this, he has recently been responsible for 'future proofing' firefighting efforts as he has been able to procure a 32 thousand litre water tanker for use primarily in the local area, but to be available if needed in other parts of the state.
Dedication – PETER MCAULAY | Queensland Police Service
Constable McAulay returned to work in April 2020, after being hit by a stolen car in Booval while keeping his community safe. Constable McAulay underwent surgery after sustaining serious head injuries and was in an induced coma in the intensive care unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Constable McAulay also sustained a number of other serious injuries during the incident, including broken bones and fractures.
Excellence – KIMBERLY ALLEN | Queensland Police Service (Joint Winner)
While on the job, Constable Kimberly Allen came into contact with 7-year-old Savannah Burns from Gatton. Savannah has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and during the interaction, she expressed her desire to be a police officer. Upon receiving permission from young Savannah’s parents and her supervisors, Constable Allen arranged several activities for Savanah to be a police officer for a day in March earlier this year.
Excellence – PAUL BAGNALL | Queensland Police Service (Joint Winner)
Last July, Acting Sergeant Bagnall organised a swearing-in ceremony for junior police officer Travis Heery who was diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable tumour that grows in the brainstem. Acting Sergeant Bagnall went above and beyond for Junior Constable Heery and had members of the Dog Squad, Mounted Unit, Special Emergency Response Team, Scenes of Crime and the EORT robot attend the ceremony, giving young Travis a real-life experience to be sworn in as an officer and fulfill his dream.
Ownership – TRACEY HARTLEY | Queensland Police Service
Tracey has been the Uniforms 4 Kids, South-Eastern Region Coordinator since the program’s inception in 2018. Uniforms 4 Kids is a world-first program that recycles old law enforcement and emergency services uniforms into beautiful and unique clothing for children who have a need. Tracey has established a number of networks of retirees, who repurpose police uniforms into clothing for children in need within the local region, and to date, Tracey has distributed over 1,000 items of clothing to victims of bush fires, local hospitals, DV shelters, NGOs and schools. None of this would have occurred without Tracey’s organisational and planning skills, and most importantly her leadership skills. Tracey organises the collection of used uniforms from all areas of the region, sorts the uniforms, delivers to the volunteers, supplies them with all the accessories needed to sew, collects the clothing, reviews each article, tags each article and then distributes them to children who have a need.
Working Together – REECE BOOIJ & RICHARD PATRICK | Queensland Police Service AND Queensland State Emergency Service
Reece and Richard showcased great bravery in February of 2019, when Townsville was subjected to monsoonal rains, which resulted in complicated fast-flowing waters and rapidly rising flood waters throughout the area. Reece and Richard operated their flood boat through the night, amid the elements, rescuing 119 people along with many of their beloved pets.
Young Everyday Heroes Award – WILL PRENTICE | Surf Life Saving
At merely 15 years’ old, Gold Coast local, our winner pulled on his experience with surf life saving when out enjoying a surf one day. He’d had enough of the waves so decided to head to shore and pack up for the day. Whilst waiting for his mother to collect him from the beach, he spotted a distressed lady running up and down the beach searching for help, so he approached the lady and soon found out that her husband was struggling on the beach and had lost his surfboard, facing severe difficulty to stay afloat amid the choppy waves. Without hesitation, this young hero reached for his surfboard, ran to the beach and commenced a search. He located the man within minutes, swam out to him bracing the waves, gave the man his surfboard to provide some reprieve and swam back alongside him, ensuring he was safely back on solid ground.
The five category winners will each receive $1,000 cash and $1,000 donated to their charity of choice. The Young Everyday Hero Award winner will receive a $500 bursary towards their training and development.
