About QBANK
QBANK is a Member-owned bank dedicated to police, emergency services, government employees and their families.
About the Awards
The QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards is an initiative designed to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals who make a difference in their communities. These awards aim to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who go above and beyond in their daily lives to help others and create positive change.
Since 2014, the QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards are a way of recognising the hard work, dedication, and exceptional service of those who protect, serve, and heal our communities.
2021 QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards
The 2021 awards celebrated remarkable individuals who went above and beyond in their roles within Queensland's public services. Hosted in Townsville, the event recognised nominees for their dedication during events like natural disasters and the pandemic. Highlights included:
- Achievement Award: Trevor Turner (Rural Fire Service), for his leadership during Queensland's devastating 2019-2020 bushfires.
- Dedication Award: Peter McAulay, recognised for his resilience and return to police service after surviving a critical injury.
- Excellence Award: Kimberly Allen and Paul Bagnall, who brought joy to terminally ill children by making their wishes come true.
2022 QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards
The 2022 awards, held in Brisbane, honoured nominees for their impactful contributions across various categories. Unlike the mistakenly shared 2023 details, the 2022 winners included these outstanding individuals:
- Achievement Award: Tony Rehn (Queensland Police Service), for his exceptional leadership and service.
- Dedication Award: Andrew Clarke (Queensland Fire and Emergency Services), acknowledged for his tireless commitment to rural fire services.
- Excellence Award: Masako Gokita (Queensland Health), celebrated for her innovative approaches in healthcare.
- Working Together Award: Teams like Ellen Meagher and Darren Adams (Queensland Police Service), who showcased exemplary teamwork during critical incidents.
The Campaign
PR / Media
The campaign received a lot of media attention across various mediums, below are a sample of articles from the 2022 campaign.
The Awards
The QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards ceremonies in 2021 and 2022 were attended by a diverse group of individuals, including:
- Award Finalists and Winners: Honourees from various sectors such as Queensland Police, Fire, Ambulance, Health, Corrections, Justice, and Public Service were present to receive recognition for their exceptional contributions.
- Family and Friends: Supporters of the nominees joined to celebrate the achievements of their loved ones.
- Community Members: Individuals from the local community attended to show appreciation for the everyday heroes serving Queensland.
- QBANK Representatives: Executives and staff members from QBANK, including CEO Mike Currie, participated in the events to honour the awardees. QBANK Article
- Dignitaries and Special Guests: The ceremonies featured esteemed guests who contributed to the recognition of the finalist’s and winner’s efforts. attendees included local government members and senior representatives from the organisation’s, including Police Commissioner Carrol.
These gatherings provided an opportunity for the community to collectively acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding service and dedication of Queensland's frontline and public service workers.
Matt Farnham is an award-winning senior marketing leader with more than a decade of experience in brand, communications and customer engagement. His work has focused on helping organisations build trust, strengthen customer relationships and drive sustainable growth, particularly in highly regulated industries. In 2024, he was named Future Leader of the Year at the Australian Marketing Institute Marketing Excellence Awards. He writes about brand strategy, marketing effectiveness and customer behaviour at mattfarnham.au.