Months after Chris Paterson’s work cleaning local waterways and supporting people living with disability or mental health challenges earned Moreton Bay’s top community honour, the search has begun for the people who will follow him.
Nominations for the 2027 City of Moreton Bay Australia Day Awards are open until 31 October 2026, with residents able to put forward people for Citizen of the Year or the Mayor’s Community Spirit Award. Long-term service and exceptional contributions made more recently can both be recognised.
From Caboolture River to city honour
Paterson was named 2026 Citizen of the Year for his work with Bamboo Projects, a charity combining waterway clean-ups with employment and support for people living with disability or mental health challenges.
Bamboo Projects uses accessible boats to enable people of different abilities to take part in cleaning waterways. Paterson and his team have removed more than 80 tonnes of debris from the Caboolture and Pine rivers, while creating employment opportunities through the program.
Paterson also volunteers more than 30 hours each week, mentoring people and supporting community members through Bamboo Projects. His Caboolture and Pine river work had already brought together environmental clean-up and inclusive employment before his Citizen of the Year recognition.
Receiving the award was a surreal moment for Paterson, who said the acknowledgement showed the work was heading in the right direction and recognised the hard work and volunteer hours involved.
Five decades of Caboolture service
Paterson joins a longer record of Caboolture residents recognised for sustained community work.
Julie Kaeser received a Mayor’s Community Spirit Award in 2024 after more than five decades of involvement in the community. Her contribution included a career as a teacher, church and Sunday school work, fundraising, involvement with Caboolture Rugby Club from its early years and support for Meals on Wheels. She also documented local history through books about the area.
Her recognition showed the breadth of work covered by the city’s community awards, spanning education, sport, welfare and the preservation of local stories.
Community work takes many forms
Recognition has also extended to the wider Caboolture area. Emily Finn of Narangba received a Mayor’s Community Spirit Award in 2025 for her work promoting inclusion through boccia and other sports for people with disability. Finn coached the Moreton Bay Boccia program, supported athletes and helped organise competitions, with her work extending to teams competing internationally.
Two awards seek their 2027 recipients
Citizen of the Year recognises a local resident for outstanding achievement or contribution to the community. The recipient must be an Australian citizen living in the City of Moreton Bay.
The Mayor’s Community Spirit Award recognises significant contributions through service, leadership or community involvement. Recipients do not need to be Australian citizens or residents of the City of Moreton Bay.
Nominations for both 2027 Australia Day Awards close on 31 October 2026 and can be submitted through the City of Moreton Bay Australia Day Awards page.
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