A man who helps deliver improved cardiac health outcomes to the heart of the nation is the Australian of the Year for Queensland.
Rolf Gomes accepted the award at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Wednesday for designing and launching the Heart of Australia trucks, a mobile health service for rural and remote communities.
The trucks provide specialist cardiac care to more than 30 towns, providing early diagnostic services to patients who may otherwise miss vital signs that they require urgent intervention.
Since 2014, the trucks have treated more than 20,000 people, saving countless lives.
The truck fleet is expected to expand to 11 by 2027, providing services nationally for a broad range of early intervention health screenings.
Dr Gomes' innovation means people in remote communities have been provided access to clinical care without having to travel long distances.
Cheryl Harris was named Senior Australian of the Year for Queensland for decades of volunteering and community work on the Sunshine Coast, while the Young Australian of the Year for Queensland went to youth worker and mentor Jarib Branfield-Bradshaw.
A Kooma man from the western Queensland town of Cunnamulla, Mr Branfield-Bradshaw opened a youth neighbourhood centre that has seen almost every young person in the town come through its doors.
The Local Hero for Queensland was surfing volunteer Ian Gay, who has devoted 20 years to helping people with disabilities enjoy the surf.
National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser congratulated the award recipients for Queensland.
"Rolf saw a gap in critical medical services and decided to fix it; Cheryl's selfless contributions are a shining example of the value of volunteering; Jarib is a source of support and understanding for young people just like him, and Ian is sharing the simple joy of the surf with profound results," Mr Fraser said.
The Queensland winners will join those from the other states and territories for the national awards on January 25, 2026.
