By Sonia Isaacs
THE Sunshine Coast Council will consider the reintroduction of the Australia Day Awards after their contentious cancellation in 2023.
Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the council would revisit the issue after significant community backlash over their cancellation.
Mayor Natoli told GCM News: “Councillors will consider the 2026 Australia Day Program, including Awards, early this year.”
The awards were quietly replaced by the ‘Sunshine Coast Biosphere – Community Awards’, a move criticised for its lack of public consultation.
Community leaders and residents said the decision – made by councillors behind closed doors – was overreach.
A council spokesperson defended the rebranding, stating it was undertaken in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
“The decision [was] made to progress, noting that there are other Australia Day initiatives delivered and supported by Council,” the spokesperson said.
The decision was a key issue during last year’s council election.
At a Hinterland ‘Meet the Candidate’ forum in Landsborough, Mayor Natoli told the audience: “Who wants to be a Biosphere Hero? People want to be Australian of the Year, not Biosphere hero.
“This has been our number one question… it has come up over and over again.”
Mayor Natoli reiterated the council’s commitment to Australia Day, citing events including the Citizenship Ceremony, which hosts over 250 recipients and guests.
Grants allocated to community-led celebrations, include the MDRSC’s Hinterland Expo and the Rotary Club of Buderim’s Picnic in the Park.
sonia@gcnews.com.au