Music to our ears as Jenny awarded Citizen of the Year

Australia Day Awards

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The Douglas Shire Council Australia Day award winners include Jenny Guyatt, Nikita McDonald, John Scott, Monika Prins, Pamela Willis Burden and Joan Vico. Picture: Shaun Hollis

Music teacher Jenny Guyatt has been named the Douglas Shire’s Citizen of the Year for 2025.

Jenny was presented with a certificate by Mayor Lisa Scomazzon at Council’s Australia Day Awards ceremony at Port Douglas Community Hall this evening, Friday January 24.

The Mossman resident will mark 49 years of teaching brass, woodwind, string and percussion instruments to students across the Douglas Shire in April.

“Teaching instrumental music is really wonderful,” Jenny said.

“The kids enjoy playing music and they get such joy out of the music camps and the band.

“By the time they leave Grade 12, I’ve been teaching many of them for a long time, more than half of their lives, so I am a constant in their lives.”

Mayor Scomazzon said Jenny was a deserved recipient. “Jenny Guyatt is a dedicated and inspiring music teacher who nurtures and encourages students, promotes the value of teamwork, camaraderie and the importance of voluntary service and contribution to community,” Mayor Scomazzon said.

“She encourages students to focus on the qualities of a smaller community, rather than the disadvantages – we are very lucky to have her in our shire.”

Joining Jenny in receiving honours at the ceremony were Young Citizen of the Year Nikita McDonald and Senior Citizen of the Year Joan Vico.

Newsport staff member Monika Prins was recognised for Environmental Achievement, while Port Shorts and its director Alison George received the award for the Arts and Cultural achievement.

Our Volunteer of the Year is John Scott, the Civic Recognition Award went to Pam Willis Burden and Junior Sports person Nate Martinelli and Senior Sports person Harry Cobb rounded out the awards.

 

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