Logan’s best of the best recognised at new awards

Published on 22 March 2026

Lifelong volunteer Gail Harrower (pictured right) is the first recipient of the prestigious Mayor’s Excellence Award, announced as part of the inaugural City of Logan People’s Excellence Awards.

The awards celebrated Logan’s best sports stars, artists, innovators, volunteers, and environmentalists across 17 awards in six categories.

Mayor Jon Raven said the award winners have all made exceptional contributions to their communities and the city.

“The first City of Logan People’s Excellence Awards highlight the incredible talent we have right here in our growing city,” Mayor Raven said.

“This is just the beginning of what will become a great annual tradition. Our most outstanding community members are often the most humble, so it’s important we take the time to recognise them.

“We received more than 120 nominations across the 17 award categories, which shows just how many amazing people are making a difference in Logan.”

The winners were announced at the Logan Entertainment Centre on Saturday, March 21.

Nominations for the 2027 City of Logan People’s Excellence Awards will open in May 2026.

For more information, go to logan.qld.gov.au/peoples-excellence-awards

The winners of the 2026 City of Logan People’s Excellence Awards are:

Mayor’s Excellence Award

Mayor’s Excellence Award: Gail Harrower. Gail supports people in palliative care at Logan Hospital and has devoted her life to volunteering and organising an annual gala ball to fund a peaceful ward environment, while consistently helping vulnerable community members feel supported, valued and reassured that help is available.

Arts and Heritage (sponsored by Community Bank Logan, Bendigo Bank)

Artist Award: Chloe Wigg. Chloe makes a significant impact in Logan through her arts practice, public artworks, the widely viewed Oh MG exhibition and inclusive community engagement, while advocating for accessibility and representation as a visible artist living with disability.
Creative Contribution Award: Ali Strachan. Ali’s work strengthens Logan’s arts sector through advocacy and leadership, supporting artists with grant applications and recognition, while delivering major initiatives through the Assorted Grains charity, and fostering an inclusive creative community that builds pride, wellbeing and cultural resilience.
Cultural Impact Award: Buddha's Light International Association of QLD (BLIAQ). BLIAQ has significantly enriched Logan through major cultural events, long-term heritage preservation, and wide-reaching community, youth and humanitarian programs that demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation and cultural impact.

Environmental (Sponsored by Logan City Council)

Eco Champion Award: Tony Sharp. Tony’s work with Substation33 diverts 150 tonnes of e-waste and 60 million containers annually from Logan’s landfills, transforming them into innovative flood safety solutions used locally and internationally, while inspiring others through passionate leadership that drives sustainability, community impact, and environmental resilience.
Eco Community Organisation Award: Substation33. This organisation diverts millions of kilograms of e-waste from landfill while delivering innovative recycled tech solutions, hands on sustainability education, and strong community support. Substation33 exemplifies circular economy leadership and creating meaningful environmental and social benefits across Logan.

Innovation (Sponsored by TransitCare)

Learning and Health Award: Kendra Clarke. Kendra has significantly strengthened youth wellbeing in Logan by championing the Tūhono Program, supporting its expansion and culturally safe delivery, and achieving strong gains in students’ cultural understanding, confidence, pride, engagement, and leadership.
Local Enterprise Award: Youth Enterprise Trust (YET). YET showed exceptional visionary leadership by transforming a dormant 302-acre site at Tamborine into a thriving social enterprise precinct, securing multimillion dollar partnerships and delivering lasting economic, educational, tourism and youth outcomes that continue to benefit the community.

Social Impact (Sponsored by Logan City Council)

Community Advocate Award: Zakaria Amin. Zakaria creates long term impact in Logan by empowering multicultural and CALD communities through inclusive leadership, founding community organisations, building strong partnerships, and supporting thousands of residents into employment, skills development, essential services, and stronger civic participation.
Health and Wellbeing Advocate Award: Nicky Pati. Nicky is a compassionate Logan community leader who, through his barber shop, creates safe mental health spaces like His Space, providing quiet support to people facing hardship and responding selflessly in times of crisis to restore dignity, confidence and hope.
Support Services Award: Kingston East Neighbourhood Group (KENG). KENG supports people across all life stages through diverse, community focused services, with staff and volunteers ensuring everyone feels respected and heard, delivering programs from emergency relief to family support, employment pathways and seniors’ initiatives, and providing 800 back to school kits annually.

Sports (Sponsored by City Venue Management)

Athlete Award: Jamie Hain. Jamie uses his Blind Golf World Champion success to inspire Logan, sharing his journey through local sporting and disability initiatives, promoting inclusion and resilience with caddy Mark Tookey, and motivating people of all abilities to pursue excellence beyond perceived limits.
Contribution to Sport Award: Adam Shannon. Adam has strengthened the community as the founder and leader of Berrinba parkrun and Berrinba Runners, dedicating hundreds of volunteer hours as a coach and leader to inspire participation, connection and wellbeing, and creating a lasting and inclusive community legacy.
Sports Team Award: Jake's Allstars Charity Rugby League Team. Jake’s Allstars Charity Rugby League events have raised more than $45,000 for young people with brain injuries and suicide prevention, drawing around 1,000 spectators per event, uniting the community, creating youth opportunities, and strengthening Logan through sport, compassion and a community first approach.

Volunteer (sponsored by Community Bank Logan, Bendigo Bank)

Community Entity Award: Logan West Community Artshare Alliance Inc. Logan West Community Artshare Alliance Inc delivers inclusive, sustainable arts programs driven by volunteers who support workshops, mentor participants and assist facilitators, while providing training, studio access and development opportunities, and helping TAFE arts students gain practical experience, confidence and pathways into community leadership.
Group Contribution Award: Logan Village and Districts Community Centre Inc. The Logan Village and Districts Community Centre Inc strengthens Logan by collaborating with groups like the local Lions Club, delivering an increasing number of hampers to community members in need, providing low or no cost events, supporting craft and museum groups, and offering growing programs for seniors and Skills for Work.
Individual Service Award: Gail Harrower. Gail supports people in palliative care at Logan Hospital and has devoted her life to volunteering and organising an annual gala ball to fund a peaceful ward environment, while consistently helping vulnerable community members feel supported, valued and reassured that help is available.