(l-r) Michael, Lord Mayor Quirk, Sheamus

I was honoured on Friday night to join Sheamus O’Connor at the Cliff’s Cafe for the 2012 Lord Mayor’s Australia Day Awards.

Sheamus and I joined an inspiring group of Award winners honoured for their volunteer work after the January flood, protecting the Gateway Bridge from 150 metre section of the Riverwalk during the flood or helping disadvantaged people reconnect through a street soccer program.

Sheamus O'Conner, Young Citizen of the Year

The Lord Mayor honoured Sheamus, Mt Gravatt State High School Year 11 student, as Young Citizen of the Year for his passionate advocacy for the envirionment including his personal contribution to the restoration of Mt Gravatt Reserve. 2011 National Tree Day Sheamus led a team of fellow students and teachers in rehabilitating the degraded area at the entry to the Summit Track. Within an hour the area had been transformed from a barren wasteland into the makings of a great piece of wildlife habitat.

As a communty we can be proud to be represented by Sheamus who demonstrated his leadership style in his response to the Lord Mayor’s presentation.

(l-r) Michael, Cr Krista Adams, Sheamus

I was honoured to by presentation the Lord Mayor’s Green Heart Award in recognition of restoration work in the Fox Gully Bushcare area, flora and fauna research, ongoing community education with wildlife articles in Southside Community News and presentations at Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed and Griffith University Eco-Centre. The presentation of beautifully wrapped green watering can and tools added a nice bit of fun.

We particularly want to accknowledge the ongoing support Cr Krista Adams.