2022 Sunshine Coast Australia Day Awards

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FLAXTON’S James (Jim) Coles was yesterday named the 2022 Sunshine Coast Senior Citizen of the year, at a special ceremony announcing this year’s Sunshine Coast Australia Day Award recipients.

Jim was one of seven Sunshine Coast residents to be recognised for their outstanding contributions to the region.

Buderim’s Mark Ellis was named the 2022 Sunshine Coast Citizen of the year.

Jim, who is now aged in his 90’s, has been a volunteer for RangeCare since the mid 90’s.

He’s served as RangeCare’s longest serving volunteer with 27 years of voluntary service and has been a part of Blackall RangeCare Group’s voluntary Management Committee for 14 years. The last three years of his time on the management committee Jim served as vice president. Jim raised funds for renovations to the RangeCare site in Flaxton and raised $460,000 for a new building in 1994.

He remains an active member of the organisation and currently volunteers at least twice a week in RangeCare’s Op Shop in Mapleton.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson, on behalf of Sunshine Coast Council and the Sunshine Coast community, congratulated each Sunshine Coast Australia Day Award nominee at the ceremony.

“There are so many outstanding stories of community spirit, inspiration and comradery, which gives us all hope for 2022 and beyond,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“As a nominee in these awards, you represent so much of what is great about the Sunshine Coast and why it is such an enjoyable and desirable place to live.

“Your efforts help build community vitality and resilience and are an integral part of the social fabric of our region.

“Each one of our nominees has made a difference to our Sunshine Coast in the past 12 months, and I’m sure will continue to do so into the future.”

2022 Sunshine Coast Australia Day Award Recipients.