DAYBORO DAY AWARD WINNERS FOR 2008

It was indeed a bright sunny day on Sunday 25th May and, scattered amid the crowd at the official opening were some folk rather bemused at the insistence of family and friends that they be there!  All was revealed as the recipients of this year’s Dayboro Day Awards were announced.
The Business Recognition Award, presented by Federal Member for Dickson, Peter Dutton, went to Devin and Gloria Linnane of Dayboro Post Office.
Councillor Bob Millar presented the Resident of the Year Award to Craig Doyle. 
Lonneke Bevan received the Young Achiever Award, which was presented by Senator Claire Moore and State Member for Kurwongbah, Linda Lavarch.

These photographs were taken by Bill De Bok.
2008 Business Recognition Award
Dayboro Post Office has taken out this year’s Business Recognition Award. 

A whoop of joy went up from Gloria Linnane as she pulled husband, Devin Linnane, up onto the stage to accept the award!  Gloria and Devin certainly make your day brighter for having been into their Post Office!
The Dayboro Post Office, on its present site, was built in 1936.  A privately owned licensed Post Office business, it has been in the Linnane family since 1975.  Following the death of his father, Doug Linnane, in 1995, Devin took on a greater role, assisting his mother Edna.  Devin and Gloria took over the reins in 1999 – 2000. 
The reliance on technology has increased dramatically in recent years and Devin and Gloria have had to travel the steep learning curve to keep up with it.  Withdrawing from your bank account is an easier process now – on both sides of the counter – with the Post Office acting as an Agency for the personal banking customers of many institutions. 
Paying bills is another service that they cheerfully handle.  In fact the cheery hello and friendly service encountered at Dayboro Post Office makes the bill paying bearable.  Did you know that they act as agents for almost 1000 companies!
Elderly customers are especially well looked after, making them comfortable doing their business here, despite the often confusing technology, calculations and form-filling that they may encounter. 
They support community groups’ fundraising endeavours including acting as a collection point for old spectacles.
Congratulations Devin and Gloria Linnane, from Dayboro Post Office.
2008 Resident of the Year Award
The Resident of the Year Award went to Craig Doyle. 

Born and bred in the Dayboro district, Craig’s links with the township are strong and this shows in his helping our local community groups wherever possible.  This support began at a young age when he helped support the local footy club in its beginnings – donations, sponsorship of junior teams and buying soft drinks for the youngsters after their games.
An active member of the Rodeo Committee these past 4 years, Craig has also willingly supported our community in whatever way is necessary, including sponsorship and donations.   Some of the organisations involved include the previously mentioned Dayboro Football Club and Dayboro Rodeo, along with Dayboro Bowls Club, Dairy Farmers Organisation, and many of the other local sporting clubs, and the local schools. 
What has changed is the scope of assistance given, as Craig’s business has grown.  Craig started with a cattle truck, delivering cattle around Queensland.  From these modest beginnings his business, which later branched out into Real Estate – becoming Craig Doyle Livestock and Land –  has prospered to the point where he employs 25 people.  With the preference to employ locals wherever possible, this further assists the Dayboro community.  As well as this, other local businesses receive their support too, with the preference being to utilise them for purchases and hiring needs whenever possible.
Be it a crisis or for fundraising within this community, Craig Doyle is there to offer his assistance.  Sometimes the assistance is in monetary form.  Sometimes it utilises his wide ranging business connections and also the use of business assets.
Craig assisted Terah’s Turtles, Dayboro’s Relay for Life team, with its fundraising efforts by donating a guitar, which he had signed by big name artists at Tamworth this year.  This was auctioned off at their Cancer Research Fundraising Evening on February 16 this year.
The Craig Doyle Stage entertainment in Lions Park on Dayboro Day is organised and sponsored by Craig and his team.  He also kindly offered the use of his ‘choppa’, with the profits to go to the Dayboro community. 
His community support is not all that widely known as he does not seek public acknowledgment or accolades when he helps out.  He has stated that he “feels lucky to be able to help”, but this also makes our community lucky to have him as a member. 
Congratulations Craig Doyle.
2008 Young Achiever Award

Lonneke Bevan took out this year’s Young Achiever Award, and just a glance at this young lady’s achievements makes you wonder how she manages to fit it all into 24-hour days.  (Perhaps she has a “time turner” as per Hermoine in the Harry Potter movie?!)
Lonneke has achieved in many spheres:  Academic, Music, Sport, Public Speaking, and community work.
A resident in the Dayboro community since 1998, (with a 2 year absence due to her father’s Army career), Lonneke attended Dayboro State School for most of her primary schooling, then went on to Bray Park State High School. 
In Year 10, 2007, Lonneke gained a number of academic awards, including an Academic Award of Excellence; first place awards in Year 10 English and History, plus Year 11 Music Extension and also Pre-Senior Dux of the school.
Although now in year 11, Lonneke last year completed a Year 12 subject by correspondence and will, this year, complete Year 12 level studies in all but one of the required subjects.  This just leaves one required subject to be completed during her actual Year 12 schooling in 2009 –  but then, Lonneke will also be completing an additional subject that she has been studying externally this year. 
On the sporting front Lonneke represented the Pine Rivers area in athletics, won an encouragement award last year, and played in both the boys and girls school soccer teams! Recently she won the school’s cross country race.
Lonneke received a Cultural Award last year for her participation in the cultural and social areas at her school.  She helped organise the School’s ‘Relay for Life’ fundraising effort, although illness prevented her actual participation.
Lonneke’s short hair style is the result of her participation in this year’s “Shave For a Cure” where she raised over $1000.
Musically talented, Lonneke performs in the High School’s bands and ensembles, and also performs with the Queensland Youth Orchestra – playing Trumpet.  This year sees her also starting to learn the Double Bass.
A keen Public Speaker, Lonneke is a member of the Youth Speak Organisation, and participated at a Youth Speak Policy Conference at St Lucia Campus earlier this year.  She also won a Public Speaking competition for the local Apex Club’s district this year.  Although unsuccessful in making it through to the next level, this was certainly a commendable achievement!
Amidst all this, Lonneke takes time out to tutor another local youngster in maths each week, as well as working alternate weekends!!  How does she find the time!!
Currently a year 11 student at Bray Park State High School, Lonneke’s qualities and achievements add up to someone this community is well proud of.
Congratulations Lonneke Bevan.