A stalwart of the Dayboro community and a teenaged conservationist have taken out the major accolades in Moreton Bay Regional Council’s annual Australia Day Awards.

Kobble Creek’s Alison Taylor was named Moreton Bay Citizen of the Year, while Eatons Hill’s Jenna Freeman took out the Young Citizen award at a gala ceremony at the Redcliffe Cultural Centre on 23 January.

“Embarrassed” but “honoured” to win an award, Mrs Taylor has volunteered in the Dayboro community since the 1980s.

Dayboro Show Society secretary for 22 years, she is also treasurer of Dayboro’s Lutheran Church Committee and Country Women’s Association, Dayboro Hall Committee President, Dayboro State School tuckshop convenor and Dayboro District Historical Society Vice-President.

“It (the award win) makes you sit back and think, ‘oh golly, there’s all these other very worthy people out there, so why me?’,” Mrs Taylor said.

“There’s a lot of people out there who are willing to help the community – you’ve just got to find them.”

Ms Freeman, whose fundraising brother Sam was also nominated for her award, has organised and co-ordinated tree plantings at Eatons Hill State School and has been actively involved in the clearing of non-native weeds from bushland.

As well as volunteering at the Kumbartcho Community Plant Nursery, the 13-year-old has also helped raised more in $20,000 in fundraising ventures aiding the community.

Dubbed the “Weed Warrior”, Joyner resident and Drapers Crossing bush care leader Donna Farrell received the Environmental Achievement Award.

A volunteer at the Kumbartcho Nursery and Osprey House Environmental Centre, Ms Farrell was the group leader at last year’s National Tree Planting Day and also assists revegetating the Woodford Folk Festival site.

The Sportsperson of the Year is Albany Creek’s Nell “Billie” Maundrell, recognised for her involvement in the equine industry.

She is a nationally accredited equestrian coach and a member of the Australian Stock Horse Society since 1976 who helps organise equestrian shows at Woodford.

Ningi educator Maria “Mimi” Carbery was awarded the Special Achievement award, while Bongaree’s Ross Pettit, who rescued an elderly woman from a submerged car, received a Special Recognition award.

World champion sailor Ashley Stoddart, from Murrumba Downs, won the Young Sportsperson award, while Caboolture musician Imogen Scott-Parker won the Cultural Award.