2008 Suncorp Queenslander, Young Queenslander and Community Spirit award winners

Suncorp Chairman, John Story, and Premier Anna Bligh with the 2008 Suncorp Queenslander of the Year winners

Graeme Wood 2008 Suncorp Queenslander of the Year

Homa Forotan 2008 Suncorp Young Queenslander of the Year

Karen Bartlett 2008 Suncorp Community Spirit award winner

The Honourable Anna Bligh MP, Premier of Queensland, and Mr John Story, Suncorp Chairman, announced the 2008 Suncorp Queenslander of the Year, Suncorp Young Queenslander of the Year and the Suncorp Community Spirit Award on Sunday 1 June at Parliament House.

These prestigious awards are the state's highest citizenship honour. They recognise individuals who have made a significant achievement in their chosen field and have made a difference in their community. 

Graeme Wood:  2008 Suncorp Queenslander of the Year
Graeme Wood is the co-founder and Executive Director of Australia's leading accommodation website Wotif.com. Graeme revolutionised the travel industry in Australia when he created the concept for, and co-founded, Wotif.com in 2000.

Wotif.com is a Brisbane-based company that allows hoteliers to promote and sell accommodation online. Graeme's contribution to the Queensland community far outweighs the financial benefits of the company's growth. Graeme has donated more than 10 per cent of his net worth to charity. Twenty million dollars of his money has gone into the Graeme Wood Foundation. Graeme and colleague Andrew Brice have established the University of Queensland Endowment Fund, which supports academic initiatives such as scholarships and research programs.

Homa Forotan:  2008 Suncorp Young Queenslander of the Year
Since arriving in Queensland as a refugee from Afghanistan in 2005, Homa Forotan has been an inspirational example of a driven and successful young Queenslander.

Despite the limited education she received in Afghanistan, Homa has achieved remarkable academic results at Yeronga State High School achieving an OP1. Homa speaks at schools around Queensland to encourage tolerance and acceptance, and tutors refugee students. Now 21, Homa is currently studying a Bachelor of Biotechnology at the University of Queensland.

Karen Bartlett:  2008 Suncorp Community Spirit
As the founder of the rehabilitation centre Fresh Hope, Karen Bartlett has made a significant contribution to improving the lives of Queensland mothers and their children suffering the consequences of substance abuse.

Karen established Fresh Hope in 2004 with the aim of creating a live-in, family-oriented rehabilitation centre that allowed mothers and their children to live together during rehabilitation. The centre provides personal and family rehabilitation counselling, as well as focussing on the underlying causes of addiction.

2008 Finalists

Read about the 2008 Suncorp Queenslander of the Year and Young Queenslander of the Year finalists.

Past recipients of the Suncorp Queenslander of the Year Award

Past recipients of the Young Queenslander of the Year Award

Past recipients of the Community Spirit Award