Leading lady's top of city list

2012 Ipswich Australia Day Awards. Mayor Paul Pisasale congratulates Citizen of the Year Robyn Flashman.

David Nielsen

PERFORMER, director, stage manager and Ipswich Little Theatre volunteer Robyn Flashman has been named Ipswich Citizen of the Year for 2012.

Mrs Flashman has fulfilled multiple roles with the theatre, on stage and off, since joining in 1970.

Mayor Paul Pisasale said she had done just about every job there was to do in the busy theatre company - from president to publicity and front-of-house volunteer.

"And it doesn't stop there. Robyn also developed the public performance program through which community groups can support the theatre while fundraising at the same time," he said.

Ipswich's Young Citizen of the Year for 2012 is community-minded Walloon 16-year-old Ebony-Lee Corbyn.

"Ebony-Lee speaks up for what she believes in and has been involved in a multitude of events and initiatives at St Mary's College," Cr Pisasale said.

"These include Disability Action Day, hostel visits, the Ipswich Hospice doorknock appeal, the Little Kings Movement and the organisation of birthing kits for women in Madagascar."

Local Ambulance Committee volunteer Enid Machin is Senior Citizen of the Year. She has helped the service for more than 40 years.

The 2012 Cultural Award winner is Pam Schubel, whose passion for singing and music has brought so much joy to Ipswich residents.

"Pam is a member of the Ipswich City Council Senior Variety Group, which performs twice a year at the Civic Centre to entertain our senior citizens," Cr Pisasale said.

The city's Sports Star of the Year 2012 award went to young Springfield Lakes tennis star Ashleigh Barty.

"Ashleigh may have been knocked out of the Australian Open last week but she'll be back to win it one day, just like she did in winning the junior singles crown at Wimbledon," Cr Pisasale said. "Ashleigh is not only out there in the international arena breaking records for Australia but, when she is able, she is assisting young people from all walks of life in engaging in physical activities."

Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature won the Community Event of the Year gong.

This event, created in 1995 by Jenny Stubbs and the Ipswich Teacher-Librarian Network has gone on to reintroduce the joys of reading to many thousands of youngsters.

The Citywide Community Event of the Year went to the Ipswich Cup Race Day on June 18, which attracted more than 21,000 people.