Council Australia Day Awards Recognises Well Known Locals

Two stand-out local community champions are among the many worthy recipients of Moreton Bay Regional Council 2019 Australia Day awards.

Disability advocate Elisha Wright was awarded Citizen of the Year and Des Dewar from the Deception Bay Meals On Wheels was named as Volunteer of the Year.

I have seen the work of Des and Elisha for years, and I know they are truly exceptional people who deserve these awards.

Elisha has been such a vigorous advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and is a state-wide leader in pushing people to respect disabled parking spaces.

Without her hard work, the Moreton Bay Regional Council Disability Access and Inclusion Plan would not have happened, so she has made a huge impact on the lives of local people with disabilities.

Des has been a leader of the Deception Bay Meals On Wheels for an incredible 35 years and he is still making desserts in the kitchen and occasionally delivering meals.

He said he would ‘give it a go’ at Deception Bay Meals On Wheels in the 1980’s and at 80 years of age, he is still there nearly every day.

It was in large part Des’ advocacy work that convinced Caboolture Shire Council to build the Meals On Wheels kitchen next to the Community Hall.

I am so proud that the tradition of community activism and volunteering is alive and well in the communities of North Lakes, Deception Bay and Burpengary East.

And I am so proud to see these wonderful people get the recognition they deserve.

I hope that they can inspire more people to devote more of their time to serving our community.