Five of Ipswich’s most inspiring citizens have been recognised in the Australia Day Awards.
The winners were selected by a five-person judging panel from an impressive list of nominees.
The awards were a celebration of all the great people and work that is present in our Ipswich community.
Caring for veterans, their families and beyond: Martin Shaw and Wounded Heroes
Martin Shaw was recognised as Citizen of the Year, while his organisation Wounded Heroes took out the Community Group of the Year Award.
Wounded Heroes continues to run a crisis centre in Bundamba for veterans and other vulnerable members of the community, providing emotional and financial support, emergency housing, food and clothing on a daily basis.
The organisation’s doors are open to anyone, whether they are experiencing homelessness, poverty, domestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction or mental health issues.
Mr Shaw said he was “extremely humbled” to be recognised in the Australia Day Awards.
“Veterans and their families are very proud – they don’t like asking for assistance and to be able to offer them a hand up instead of a handout and supporting them with their most critical needs is why our organisation exists,” he said.
“My message to Ipswich residents is – let’s work together to look after each other.”
Service to our most vulnerable: Jan White
Jan White was recognised as the Senior Citizen of the Year for her role in various community groups in Ipswich and beyond.
A former nurse who worked at Ipswich Hospital, Jan has played a key role in the community-owned Ipswich Hospice Care and continues to volunteer with the organisation.
“It’s been a privilege to be part of the care team because the people that I got to care for and their families, they taught me a lot about living and dying,” she said.
Ms White is also involved in other community groups including women’s service organisation Quota and several singing groups.
“It’s the friendship, it’s the support, the camaraderie and what we’ve been able to give back to the community that makes all this special to me.”
She said her message to Ipswich residents is to “be proud” of their city.
“If you have the time and means, find some area in the city that you would like to volunteer in because you will find that very rewarding and it will help our community.”
Bridging city’s diverse cultures through sports, arts and music: John Martin Del Rosario Nieva
John Martin Del Rosario Nieva or Jomar Nieva as he is known, received the Cultural Award at the 2025 Ipswich Australia Day Awards ceremony.
As a tireless advocate for multiculturalism, Jomar has helped add to the spirit and vibrancy of Ipswich through his volunteer non-profit organisation Philippines-Australia Multicultural Association (PAMA).
He has also held multiple volunteer roles with the Catholic Church’s Our Lady of the Southern Cross parish in Springfield and raises money for the Cancer Council of Australia during its annual March Charge campaign.
“This award is a way for me and PAMA to raise awareness and inspire others around Ipswich to also do the things we do, including raising money for cancer research and promoting multiculturalism,” he said.
“With the Olympics coming up, one of our long-term plans is to use sports, festivals, arts and music to bridge different cultures in our community together because these are all universal.
“We would also like to get more young people involved in our projects because we want to inspire our youth – and all of our activities are really about building a legacy for younger generations in Ipswich.
“I want to make Ipswich a fast growing, vibrant, lively place that’s going to make people want to come and live here.”
From Ipswich, to the world: Stephen Rogers
Stephen Rogers won the Sport and Recreation Award at the Australia Day Awards.
Hot off his Official of the Year award at the council’s 2024 Ipswich Sports Awards, Paris Olympics hockey umpire Stephen Roger’s win adds to an impressive list of accolades collected during his 30-year career.
After overseeing the men’s gold medal match in Paris, he was crowned the Federation International Hockey umpire of the year in 2024.
Mr Rogers said the Australia Day Sport and Recreation Award was the cherry on top of a great 2024.
“I started playing hockey, in Ipswich when I was about four, took up umpiring when I was 12, so it’s quite special to be recognised with this award at 45,” he said.
“When I started umpiring, I was always giving back and helping the kids through umpiring and playing.”
“I didn’t really even think about it and automatically lent a helping hand to those who were coming up, it’s what you do in sport.”
Enjoying life and Giving Back: Ryan White
In his senior year of school while also undertaking the duties of being a house captain at St Edmund’s College in 2024, Ryan produced a superhuman effort to lead the way in the school’s yearly 115-kilometre charity bike ride, Skool 2 Schoolies.
He raised $23,000 of the $60,000 total funds donated through the initiative to Ipswich Hospice Care and St Vincent de Paul.
Ryan has been involved in extra-curricular activities such as tennis, athletics and soccer, while also helping with homeless support initiative Signal Flare.
“It’s a great accomplishment to be Ipswich’s Young Citizen of the Year, I hope it motivates other younger people to give back to the community that they live in and belong to,” he said.
“Helping people who are doing it tough makes me really happy, especially seeing them smile.
“My message to Ipswich residents is to be yourself, enjoy life and help out where you can.”