Jan and Alison Schutt of Bunya have received the Community Spirit Awards in the City of Moreton Bay 2026 Australia Day Awards for their grassroots initiative helping disadvantaged students access school supplies.
The husband and wife team founded Stationery Aid, which has collected, sorted and repackaged excess school supplies for more than 2,660 students across 185 schools.
Turning unused stationery into student support
Jan and Alison Schutt noticed their children returned from school each year with unused stationery, only to purchase more supplies the following year. Rather than accept this waste, the Bunya couple created Stationery Aid to redirect excess supplies to families struggling to afford school essentials.
They established collection points at local churches, then expanded by engaging businesses and school chaplains to tailor packs to individual student needs. The network grew to include Scripture Union, Lions Clubs, Officeworks and local businesses willing to support the cause.
To date, Stationery Aid has helped over 2,660 students, diverted more than 70 tonnes of waste from landfill, and mobilised over 230 volunteers. The grassroots initiative has shared their model to inspire similar programs, proving a simple observation about waste can create lasting community impact.
Jan and Alison volunteer countless hours not only through Stationery Aid but also through organisations including Lions International. Their work addresses both educational access and environmental sustainability simultaneously.
What these Australia Day awards mean for Bunya Residents
The City of Moreton Bay Australia Day Awards recognise locals who strengthen communities through volunteer work, innovation and sustained commitment. Unlike national honours, these council awards celebrate grassroots contributions happening within Moreton Bay’s suburbs and towns.
For Bunya residents, seeing Jan and Alison Schutt honoured highlights how local initiatives can scale from neighbourhood observations into programs serving thousands. Their work proves community impact doesn’t require major funding or institutional backing, just persistent effort and willingness to organise solutions.
Published 28-January-2026.
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