A Brisbane volunteer whose work with St John Queensland has taken him from the front lines of major public events to emergency evacuation centres has been recognised in this year’s QLD Day Awards with the Count on a Queenslander award.
Read: Nundah Father Scores Life-Changing $2-M Windfall
Thomas Sugget received the honour at a ceremony in Brisbane, one of six award categories recognising individuals and organisations whose contributions reflect the values, resilience and community spirit Queenslanders are known for. The award is a fitting title for someone who has given 13 years of voluntary service to St John Queensland, the organisation whose state headquarters is located in Nundah.
For Mr Sugget, the recognition points firmly back to the people around him.
“From being a First Responder at large scale events to working in evacuation centres, to developing programs, I’ve had the opportunity to see Queenslanders during periods of excitement and joy, as well as during significant adversity,” he said in a statement released alongside the awards announcement.
“One of the biggest things that continues to make me want to volunteer my time is my fellow volunteers, who give their time to support others.”
It is a grounded reflection for someone whose service record spans emergency response, program development and community support across more than a decade. St John Queensland’s Nundah headquarters serves as the base for this kind of volunteer work across the state, giving Mr Sugget’s contribution a local dimension that resonates close to home.
Recognising Queensland’s Finest
The 2026 QLD Day Awards drew more than 600 nominations from across Queensland, with recipients selected across six categories: Local Legends, Count on a Queenslander, Philanthropic Great, Posthumous Great, Institution Great and Individual Great. The awards are presented ahead of Queensland Day on 6 June, marking the date in 1859 when Queensland was proclaimed a separate colony.
Mr Sugget was one of four recipients in the Count on a Queenslander category, joining Alina Graham from Quilpie, Russell Wall from the Sunshine Coast and Natalie Jarrott, also from the Sunshine Coast. Other notable recipients across the broader awards included Major General Stephen Day DSC AM as Individual Great and the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland, recognised as Institution Great in the Ekka’s 150th year.
Premier David Crisafulli presented the awards at the Brisbane ceremony and praised all recipients for the consistency of their commitment.
“They show up, year after year, for their communities without being asked and without expecting anything in return,” he said.
Read: The Therapy Dogs Turning Brisbane Airport Into a Happier Place to Travel
A Local Connection Worth Celebrating
For Nundah, Mr Sugget’s recognition carries a particular local resonance. Whether responding at large scale events, supporting communities in evacuation centres or developing programs, Mr Sugget has demonstrated what it looks like to genuinely show up for others.
The full list of 2026 QLD Day Awards recipients is available at www.qld.gov.au/qldday.
Published 8-June-2026
