Australia Day Awards

Recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the community. Nominees demonstrate exceptional leadership, sustained commitment, and a significant positive impact through service, initiative, or civic involvement, inspiring others and enhancing the wellbeing, cohesion, and vitality of the community.

Recognises a young person who has demonstrated outstanding achievement, effort, or contribution in any field. Nominees show initiative and dedication, and make a positive impact through personal accomplishments, community involvement, leadership, or service, while inspiring others and making a meaningful contribution to the community or broader society.

Recognises an individual who has made an exceptional voluntary contribution to the community. Nominees demonstrate outstanding dedication, generosity, and commitment through unpaid service, delivering meaningful impact, supporting others, and strengthening community wellbeing while inspiring a spirit of volunteerism.

Recognises an individual who demonstrates kindness, respect, and consideration toward others in their local area. Nominees show a strong sense of community spirit through everyday actions, support for neighbours, and efforts to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment, positively contributing to neighbourhood connections and wellbeing.

Recognises a sports coach, committee member or volunteer demonstrating outstanding leadership, commitment, and coaching excellence, fostering athlete development, community engagement, inclusivity, and making a positive impact, while inspiring participation and sportsmanship.

Recognises individuals or groups who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the community through dedicated service in an organisation, initiative, or civic role. Nominees demonstrate sustained commitment, leadership or initiative, positive community impact, and the ability to engage and inspire others while enhancing community wellbeing and connection.

This award honours a sportsperson who has achieved outstanding results and shown exemplary sportsmanship. It acknowledges excellence at a club, regional, state, or national level.

Recognises individuals or groups who have made an outstanding contribution to community life through the arts, heritage, or creative expression. Nominees demonstrate excellence, dedication, enriching community identity, fostering inclusivity, and promoting awareness, participation, and pride within the community.

Recognises a non-professional individual demonstrating exceptional talent, dedication and excellence with strong potential for future success, positive character, and the ability to inspire others in their chosen field.

An individual, business or organisation that has made a significant contribution to creating a more inclusive Gunnedah Shire community or improving the quality of life for people with a disability.

This award recognises a community group whose programs or projects have significantly enhanced local wellbeing and cohesion. It highlights teamwork, innovation and measurable community impact.

Recognises an outstanding event instilling community pride and demonstrating strong community involvement and collaboration.

• Citizen of the Year: Michael Broekman
• Ossie & Beryl Campbell Volunteer of the Year: Steven Hopwood
• Cultural Achievement Award: Multicultural Women’s Association
• Sportsperson: Lachlan Finnerty

• Citizen of the Year: Leonie Harley
• Ossie & Beryl Campbell Volunteer of the Year: Rosemary Flett
• Eve Turner Perpetual Trophy: Moana Gurewitz [Shoobert]
• Community Achievement Award: Linda Lee and Kate Knight
• Cultural Achievement Award: Multicultural Women’s Association
• Max and Mikie Maas Good Neighbour Award: Vince Tydd
• Junior Sportsperson: Jayla Suey
• Sports Team of the Year: Gunnedah Motorcycle Club
• Environmental Citizen of the Year: McLean Care Alkira

• Citizen of the Year: Marie Hobson
• Young Citizen of the Year: Lewis Donaldson
• Ossie & Beryl Campbell Volunteer of the Year: Coralie Howe
• Eve Turner Perpetual Trophy: Edmund Heap
• Community Achievement Award: CWA Gunnedah –Leonie Harley Hon. Sec.
• Cultural Achievement Award: Agnes Kin Thurston
• Max and Mikie Maas Good Neighbour Award: Ian Franke
• Junior Sportsperson: Hugo Holmes
• Sports Person of the Year: Ms Khobi Devine
• Senior Sports Team of the Year: Gunnedah Bulldogs Women’s AFL Team – Poochettes
• Environmental Citizen of the Year: Sandy Thompson
•  Ivan Towns Memorial Award Coach of the Year: Andrew Frend

• Citizen of the Year (21 and Over): Tracey Reid
• Young Citizen of the Year (20 and Under): Steven Hopwood
• Ossie and Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award: Gunnedah Golf Club
• Eve Turner Perpetual Trophy: Lynette Gleeson
• Community and Cultural Achievement Award: Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society
• Max and Mikie Maas Good Neighbour Award: Olwyn Jones
• Sportsperson of the Year (21 and Over): Paul Brady
• Junior Sportsperson of the Year (20 and Under): Alice Edmunds
• Junior Sports Team of the Year Award (20 and Under): Gunnedah Swimming Club
• Sports Team of the Year Award: Gunnedah Touch Association
• Ivan Towns Memorial Award Coach of the Year: Amanda Randall

• Young Citizen of the Year Award: Haylee Murrell
• Citizen of the Year Award – 21-40 years: Kate McGrath
• Citizen of the Year Award – 40+ years: George Avard
• Ossie & Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award: Michael Broekman
• Cultural Award: Ronald McLean
• Community Organisation Achievement Award: Gunnedah Show Society
• Community Event Achievement Award: Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards
• Max & Mikie Maas Good Neighbour Award: Ron Rickard
• Junior Male Sportsperson of the Year Award: Adam McGuirk
• Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year Award: Zoe Flemming
• Junior Sports Team of the Year Award: St Mary’s College Boys Tennis Team

• Eve Turner Perpetual Award: Christine Hodges
• Cultural Award: Emma Costello and Dalton Dorrington
• Community Achievement Award: GoCo Support Volunteers
• Ossie and Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award: Elle 'n' Pete
• Max and Mikie Maas Good Neighbour Award: Ron Rickard
• Ivan Towns Memorial Award: Maryanne Perkins
• Junior Male Sportsperson of the Year: Adam McGuirk
• Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year: Taryn Maher
• Junior Sports Team of the Year Award: GHS Open Boys Cricket Team
• Sports Team of the Year Award: Gunnedah Football Club
• Young Citizen of the Year Award (21 years and under): Tyson Hubbard
• Citizen of the Year Award (21-40 years): Lenelle Ritter
• Citizen of the Year Award (40+) Evelyn Wise Award: Delores Worthington