Australian of the Year Awards

Reverend Anne Harley is the pastor of Mount Louisa House of Praise Uniting Church. During her 12 years as pastor, she has been instrumental in bringing Townsville’s Christian churches together with the community. She instigated a Christmas nativity play, called Stable on the Strand, which is held on the foreshore. Reverend Harley’s dedication to the event has seen it grow to now attract more than 40,000 people each year, with 800 volunteers from 60 churches.

In 2008, those watching Stable on the Strand were invited to bring food to contribute to a hamper that set the Guinness World Record for the world’s biggest Christmas hamper. The hamper was distributed through Foodbank along with a donation of $2500 which was able to supply meals to 4500 underprivileged families. Reverend Harley’s unwavering kindness and dynamic spirit has helped bring her community together.