Community Recognition Awards 2026 - Winners
Published on 21 May 2026
Burnie Honours Community Champions at the 2026 Recognition Awards
The 2026 Community Recognition Awards brought the Burnie community together to acknowledge and celebrate the people who go above and beyond to make our city a better place. The evening shone a spotlight on the dedication, passion and community spirit of local volunteers, organisations, young achievers, and community leaders whose contributions continue to have a positive impact across Burnie.
Citizen of the Year – Brendan Murray
Burnie’s 2026 Citizen of the Year, Brendan Murray - affectionately known throughout the community as Uncle Beau - has made an extraordinary contribution to Burnie through his leadership, cultural advocacy, mentorship, and dedication to bringing people together. A deeply respected Tasmanian Aboriginal community leader, Uncle Beau has helped foster understanding, connection and belonging across the region through cultural programs, community events, educational initiatives and NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Through storytelling, mentoring and sharing his lived experience, Uncle Beau has inspired people from all walks of life with compassion, honesty and wisdom. His personal journey of overcoming illiteracy and pursuing higher education at the University of Tasmania has become a powerful example of resilience and hope within the community. His ongoing work continues to strengthen cultural understanding, uplift others and enrich the lives of many across Burnie and the North-West Coast.
Senior Citizen of the Year – Wayne Flight
Burnie’s 2026 Senior Citizen of the Year, Wayne Flight, has dedicated decades to supporting and strengthening the local community through his passion for table tennis, coaching and community sport. Since becoming involved in Burnie table tennis in the early 1970s, Wayne has contributed as a player, mentor, administrator and advocate for inclusive participation, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to become involved and connected through sport.
Despite experiencing a serious back injury that kept him away from the game for many years, Wayne returned to table tennis in 2003 with remarkable resilience and continued to make a lasting impact within the community. He played a key role in helping re-establish the Burnie Table Tennis Club in 2026 and has remained deeply committed to supporting juniors, older community members and people with disability to participate, stay active and build social connections. Through his generosity, encouragement and decades of service, Wayne has helped foster confidence, wellbeing and community spirit across Burnie.
Volunteer of the Year – Astri Kirkland
Burnie’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year, Astri Kirkland, has made an extraordinary contribution to the Burnie and North-West Tasmania communities through more than two decades of dedicated volunteer service, advocacy and leadership. Passionate about supporting migrant and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Astri has worked tirelessly to create a region where people feel welcomed, connected and valued, while promoting inclusion, understanding and belonging.
Astri has played a significant role in establishing the Burnie Mosque and has contributed her time and expertise across numerous organisations, including the Northwest Islamic Association, Indonesian Diaspora Tasmania, the Righteous Youth Group and the Multicultural Council of Tasmania. Through initiatives such as Cultural Bridges, community Iftar events and the Big Tassie Walk, she has brought people together to strengthen relationships, promote social cohesion and celebrate cultural diversity across the region. Widely respected for her compassion, humility and leadership, Astri continues to make a lasting impact on the Burnie community through her commitment to service and inclusion.
Young Citizen of the Year – Mayson Reader
Burnie’s 2026 Young Citizen of the Year, Mayson, has already made an impressive contribution to the community through his leadership, volunteering and passion for helping others. At just 14 years of age, he has balanced outstanding academic achievements with part-time work, community involvement and a growing list of leadership opportunities, all while demonstrating remarkable maturity, kindness and dedication.
Mayson volunteers at GreenSTEM community events, where he encourages other young people to build confidence and explore their potential, and his achievements in STEM and leadership have been recognised at both local and national levels. As the recipient of multiple academic and citizenship awards, as well as the 2025 GreenSTEM Education STEM on Track National Champion title, Mayson continues to inspire those around him. Through his involvement with the CSIRO Youth Reference Council and Young Future Shapers program, he is already helping shape conversations around the future of science, technology and innovation in Australia. Burnie is incredibly proud of the example Mayson is setting for the next generation.
Community Event of the Year – Burnie Park Run
Since launching in 2018, Burnie Parkrun has grown from a weekly community run into one of Burnie’s most valued community events - bringing people together through connection, inclusion and a shared sense of belonging. Every Saturday morning, people of all ages and abilities gather along the foreshore to walk, jog, run and support one another, creating an environment that is welcoming, encouraging and genuinely community-focused.
Burnie Parkrun has become far more than a fitness event. It is a place where friendships are formed, milestones are celebrated and people experiencing isolation, illness or personal challenges find support and connection. Supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, the event continues to foster wellbeing, positivity, and community spirit while also attracting visitors to Burnie from across Tasmania and beyond. As Burnie Parkrun celebrates its 400th on Saturday 23 May, it is fitting to recognise the incredible impact it has had on the local community as Burnie’s 2026 Community Event of the Year.
Burnie is proud to honour these community champions whose dedication continues to shape a stronger, more inclusive future for our community.