A community hero who has dedicated 20 years to helping youth in need is Moreton Bay Regional Council's Citizen of the Year with a 14-year-old fundraiser and volunteer worker also honoured as the region's Young Citizen of 2011.

Robert Hayes of Deception Bay and Stephanie Freeman of Eatons Hill  were announced as award winners during a gala event at the Redcliffe Cultural Centre on 22nd January.
Mayor Allan Sutherland said both had shown outstanding commitment to their local communities.
“Mr Hayes has made a difference to the lives of hundreds of young people and their families,” Mayor Sutherland said.
“Over two decades Robert Hayes has devoted his time to doing good in his community as a drug and rehabilitation counsellor, peer mentor and youth worker while also organising recreational activities and sporting events to bring together people from different cultural backgrounds.
"Coupled with his work with homeless youth, Mr Hayes' contribution to our community was recognised by all members of the Australia Day Awards judging panel as nothing short of outstanding."
The Mayor also paid tribute to 14-year-old Stephanie Freeman as the region's Young Citizen of the Year.
"Stephanie was just 11 years of age when she began getting involved in community and volunteer work with her fundraising activities already delivering thousands of dollars to the Mater Mothers' Neonatal Intensive Care Unit," Mayor Sutherland said.
“Legacy Day, the Remembrance Day Poppy Appeal, Queensland Cancer Council, World Vision, the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal, Young Care, MS Read-a-thon, Uncle Toby’s Big Splash Swimathon and Queensland Surf Life Saving have also been beneficiaries of Stephanie's energetic fundraising efforts.
"Congratulations Stephanie on being an exemplary young citizen of this region." 
Chris Pilat of Albany Creek is Moreton Bay region's Sportsperson of the Year in recognition of his contribution to junior rugby league and the Albany Creek Crushers.
"As secretary of the Albany Creek Crushers Junior Rugby League Football Club, Chris Pilat has used his strategic planning and administrative skills to help the club expand its player base, as well as secure grants for lighting and field upgrades,'' the Mayor said.
"The Albany Creek Crushers have twice been awarded the Greater Brisbane Junior Rugby League Club Championship trophy and Club Efficiency award, due in large part to Chris Pilat's tireless commitment to the club and the encouragement he's provided to its young players."
The Moreton Bay region's Young Sportsperson of the Year Award has been won by Bribie Island State High School senior student Ben Brown, who was the school's 2010 Sportsman of the Year and was also selected for the Queensland Flames under 16 mixed netball team to compete at the junior nationals in Silverwater, New South Wales.
"Ben has excelled in sport, not only as the captain of the school’s rugby league and AFL teams for regional competitions but also as a junior netball and AFL coach," Mayor Sutherland said.
“The judges were also very impressed with the leading role Ben has played in Bribie Island State High School's mentoring program, which aims to help students overcome low self-esteem.
"This is a young man with a bright future ahead of him."
The Queensland Folk Federation of Woodford has received the Environmental Achievement Award for its dedication and commitment to preserving the natural environment.
In particular the work done to re-establish the ecology of the Woodforia site with the planting of 93,000 trees and the restoration of native habitats and healthy waterways.
Other initiatives have included the placement of 140 nest boxes for birds and tree marsupials, and the construction of 40 permanent amenity blocks.
"The Queensland Folk Federation's work has been instrumental in helping this region to be recognised nationally as a festival destination," the Mayor said.
"This year, the judges have also created a Special Recognition Award for the environment and I'm pleased to announce Madonna O'Brien as the inaugural recipient for her dedication to the protection of native wildlife.
"Not only has Madonna been a registered wildlife carer for 15 years, she visits schools to raise awareness of the plight of local wildlife and is the principal fundraiser for the local fire brigade." 
Bribie Island’s Banksia to Beach Arts Festival took out the Community Event award after attracting national publicity for its professionally run workshops and outstanding art works.
More than 6000 people attended the 10-day festival run by more than 150 hard working volunteers.
Talosaga Nunu of Petrie is the winner of the Moreton Bay region's Cultural Award for her outstanding contribution to the Pacific Islander community.
"As a senior member of the Respect In Cultural Relations program at the Redcliffe Community Association, Talosaga has helped with domestic violence issues, assisted families to find appropriate housing and distributed food parcels to those less fortunate," Mayor Sutherland said.
Mayor Sutherland congratulated the winners and nominees for helping to make a difference in the Moreton Bay region, pointing out that having been nominated by their community for their work in that community was a great accolade.