Community & Business
30 January, 2026
Proud to be Australian
The 2026 Oakey Australia Day Citizen of the Year is local pharmacist Nathan Jervis, one of a number of dedicated community-minded Australians who were recognised at the Oakey Australia Day Awards Ceremony.
Mr Jervis, watched on by his parents who came from the Sunshine Coast, was recognised for dedicating countless hours and personal resources to support local organisations, events and individuals in need.
His commitment to service, generosity and community wellbeing through a wide range of voluntary, financial & hands-on contributions was also commended by the award judges.
Joining Nathan on the winners list were Oakey Bears open women’s coach Kiara Taylor, Oakey High graduates Tessa Gale and Makaela Henderson, patron of local arts Andrew Langton, athletes Simon Collett and Sam Jackson and representatives from the Friends of the Jondaryan Woolshed & Steaming Under the Southern Cross groups.
At Yarraman, the Rosalie Awards saw young artist Ava Englund presented with the Cultural Award, while Nathan McDonald was heralded for his accomplishments on the speedway track. Kulpi Hall Association’s achievement in bringing local people together was also recognised.
At the Oakey Cultural Centre, 2025 Citizen of the Year school teacher Mrs Debbie Goudie, the daughter of a Dutch migrant, spoke about what being Australian meant to her.
“Being Australian is about where I am, where I came from and the values I hold,” Mrs Goudie said.
“I have lived all my life here, and went to the same school that I teach at.
“To give back to the community that helped raise me is something special.”
Mrs Goudie said Oakey was a tight knit community, where people showed up for each other in good times and in bad.
Contrary to predictions of poor attendance at Oakey due to dissatisfaction with the change in venue, the local Cultural Centre had a slightly increased attendance for the Awards Ceremony, with older citizens appreciating the air conditioning, flat surface and the fact that they didn’t have to bring their own chair.
Overall event attendance was down due to the lack of games with most of this crowd migrating to the pubs instead.
Cr Tim McMahon representing Toowoomba Regional Council, said his page had been flooded with negative correspondence around Australia Day and Oakey’s event in particular, and implored people to ignore the negative media cycle, and focus on the good and the positive aspects of Australia Day.
“Oakey is a town with a proud history, a town with strong values and a big sense of community,” Cr McMahon said.
Event organiser Sam Kennedy, in charge of a new Australia Day Working Group thanked her team of Alma, David, James and Keyara for their time and efforts in making the new event at the Cultural Centre happen.
Reacting to his award win on-stage, Mr Jervis said he was blown away and completely humbled.
“I’d like to thank Oakey, everything that they’ve done to support me,” he said.
“Just be a good person.”
