Australia's Local Hero finalists from Queensland 2016
Justine Christerson - Rural patient supporter (Parks Ridge)
After moving to Brisbane from the small town of Biloela, Justine Christerson started a program to support rural patients in city hospitals. Since 2013, Breaking Down the Barriers has assisted hundreds of families. Justine provides a friendly face and support for rural patients who may not know their way around, or feel overwhelmed when visiting the ‘big smoke’ for treatment. Through fundraising and donations, Justine provides patients and their families with practical help like transport to appointments, home cooked meals and hampers, clothing vouchers, advice and information, as well as a shoulder to lean on. Never afraid to roll up her sleeves in times of crisis, Justine was awarded a Queensland Disaster Hero Medal for her work helping people and communities in the aftermath of the state’s most recent natural disasters. A busy mother of three, Justine also opens her home to foster children while inspiring those around her with her selfless dedication to people doing it tough.
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Noeline Clamp - Volunteer refugee supporter (Logan Central)
To the thousands of refugees she has helped, Noeline Clamp is known simply as ‘Mum’. While she’s been a volunteer within her community for more than 50 years – driving Meals on Wheels, initiating the first Blue Nurses doorknock appeal and hosting morning teas for cancer research – Noeline’s greatest achievement has been in her efforts to make Australia the most welcoming place in the world for refugees. Noeline and her husband Des established Access Community Services Limited in 1984 to provide settlement, employment and support services for disadvantaged people across south-east Queensland. Noeline served on the Board for 20 years and is now a lifetime member. Noeline opens her home to provide short-term accommodation to those in need, assuming the role of ‘family’ for refugees in times of both crisis and celebration. Noeline’s level of energy and active participation belies her 79 years and she is a great example of how volunteering can boost life satisfaction while helping others.
Michael Ross - Land rights activist (Cooktown)
At the forefront of land rights for his people, Michael Ross commands respect wherever he goes – from the corridors of Parliament House in Canberra to the cattle yards of Cape York. An Olkola man, Michael was anointed by his elders to lead his people in the emerging era of land rights. Since then, Michael has dedicated his life to securing land rights, protection of culture and country for his people and the people of Cape York, first as Director and Chairperson of the Cape York Land Council and now as Chairperson of the Olkola Aboriginal Corporation. After years of negotiations with the Queensland Government, Michael successfully secured one of the largest transfers of Aboriginal freehold land in Australia’s history. More than 700,000 hectares of land was handed back to the Olkola People in 2014. Michael is now leading his people in the next step towards self-determination, progressing sustainable economic development, land management and eco-tourism and supporting his people to come back home to country.
Geoff and Vicki Toomby - Horsemanship trainers (Alice River)
Determined to put the heart back into rural Australia and help those in need, Geoff and Vicki Toomby train the next generation of stockmen and women. Opening their gates to anyone in need, the Townsville couple have established a free horsemanship program, with each graduating student placed into a job on a remote cattle station. Each year, more than 50 budding jackaroos and jillaroos – from at-risk youth to Indigenous people wanting to reconnect with country, former prison inmates to those recovering from drug and alcohol addictions – complete the training at the Toomby Ultimate Rural Training Centre. The pair has achieved a remarkable success rate, with 87 per cent of participants still working in their jobs a year later. Famous for their techniques, Geoff and Vicki also conduct clinics and travel to agricultural shows and field days to demonstrate the art of animal understanding. Together, Geoff and Vicki are sharing the skills and maintaining the traditions of an often-overlooked part of Australia’s bush culture.