Australia Day

Each year in the lead-up to Australia Day, Council hosts an invitation-only Civic Reception to present the Snowy Valleys Council Australia Day Awards. Then, on 26 January, local Volunteer Groups bring thier towns together for their own Australia Day ceremonies, featuring local award presentations, entertainment, and family activities. Council provides support to the town events but each volunteer group sets its own schedule and ceremony details.

The 2027 Town Hosts are:

  • Adelong: Adelong Progress Association
  • Batlow: Rotary Club of Batlow
  • Khancoban: KUVA
  • Talbingo: Talbingo Community Association
  • Tumbarumba: Rotary Club of Tumbarumba
  • Tumut: Rotary Club of Tumut and the Montreal Community Theatre Committee

2027 Australia Day Awards

Nominate your local hero today.  You can choose which Australia Day commemorations you would like your nominee to be consdiered in: Council Award only; Council Award and Town Award or Town Award only. 

The 2027 Award Categories are:

  • Citizen of the Year - Open to Snowy Valleys Council residents aged 25 years and over as of 26 January 2027. This award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the Snowy Valleys community through leadership, volunteerism, innovation or community service. The recipient demonstrates dedication, integrity and a selfless commitment to improving the wellbeing of others while creating a positive and lasting impact within the community. This may include leading or supporting community organisations, mentoring others, coordinating local projects or events, advocating for community needs, promoting inclusion and accessibility, supporting emergency response or recovery efforts, protecting the environment, preserving local heritage, or making significant contributions to education, health, sport, the arts or cultural development.
  • Young Citizen of the Year - Open to Snowy Valleys Council residents aged 12 to 24 years as of 26 January 2027. This award recognises a young person who has made an outstanding contribution to the Snowy Valleys community through leadership, volunteerism, advocacy or community involvement. The recipient is an inspirational role model who demonstrates initiative, innovation, creativity and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of others. They may also have achieved excellence in areas such as education, sport, the arts, culture, the environment or other pursuits while making a positive and lasting impact on their community.
  • Senior Citizen of the Year - Open to Snowy Valleys Council residents aged 65 years and over as of 26 January 2027. This award recognises a senior who has made a significant contribution to the community through leadership, volunteer service or community involvement. The recipient is an inspirational role model who demonstrates dedication, generosity and a commitment to improving the lives of others and may also have made outstanding contributions in areas such as community service, culture, heritage, sport, education or the environment.
  • Youth Sports Award - Open to Snowy Valleys Council residents aged 12 to 24 years as of 26 January 2027. This award recognises young individuals or teams who have made a significant contribution to local sport through outstanding achievement, dedication, leadership and sportsmanship. This may include young athletes who have excelled in competition, young coaches or officials demonstrating leadership beyond their years, youth volunteers supporting local sporting clubs, or youth teams achieving success while promoting teamwork, inclusion and respect.
  • Sports Award – Open to individuals, teams, clubs, organisations or community groups who have made an outstanding contribution to sport within the Snowy Valleys Council area through achievement, coaching, officiating, administration, volunteering, leadership or sportsmanship. Nominations should outline the nominee’s impact on local sport, highest level of achievement (local to international) and whether the achievement was through selection or invitation. It celebrates those who have strengthened local sport by inspiring participation, supporting athlete development, fostering inclusion and promoting positive sporting values. The award may recognise achievements within the past 12 months or a sustained contribution over many years.
  • Arts and Cultural Award – Open to individuals, groups or organisations that have enriched the cultural life of the Snowy Valleys Council area through artistic excellence, cultural expression or the preservation of local heritage. This award acknowledges those who have encouraged creativity, strengthened community identity and increased access to arts and culture through exhibitions, performances, festivals, workshops, public art, cultural programs or heritage initiatives. Nominees may be recognised for a notable achievement or project undertaken during the past 12 months, or for their long-term dedication and influence in fostering a vibrant and diverse cultural community.
  • Community Group Award – Open to community groups, clubs and not-for-profit organisations operating within the Snowy Valleys Council area. This award recognises a group that has made an outstanding contribution to the community through leadership, collaboration, volunteerism or the delivery of programs, events, services or initiatives that have enhanced the wellbeing of residents. The recipient will have demonstrated a strong commitment to building inclusive, connected and resilient communities, fostering community participation, and creating a positive and lasting impact across the Snowy Valleys.

 

Nominate Your Hero Today!

Or download the hardcopy form: 2027 Austrlia Day Nomination Form(PDF, 213KB)

Nominations close Sunday 6 December 2026

To ensure individuals are recognised appropriately for their contributions and achievements Council reserves the right to adjust or vary the award categories based on the nature of nominations received. Groups who run the Town Awards also reserve the right to assign nominees to town-specific categories as required.    

About Australia Day

Australia Day is the biggest day of celebration in the country and the 26 of January is observed as a public holiday in all states and territories.

On Australia Day we come together as a nation to celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. It's the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation. It's the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future.

More information about Australia Day can be found on the Australia Day Council of NSW website: australiaday.com.  

Past Snowy Valleys Council Australia Day Award Recipents

2026

  • Citizen of the Year – Shane Walsh, Adelong
  • Young Citizen of the Year – Georgie Austen, Tumut 
  • Senior Citizen of the Year – Max Hargreaves, Tumut 
  • Sports Award – Will Crawford, Tumut
  • Environmental Award – Khancoban Landcare Group, Khancoban

 

 

2025

  • Citizen of the Year – Hannah Speers, Adelong
  • Young Citizen of the Year – Hannah Rankin, Tumbarumba
  • Sportsperson of the Year – Dylan Weir, Brungle/Tumut
  • Environmental Citizen of the Year – Bindi Vanzella, Batlow
  • Service to the Community – Cara Ironside, Batlow

 

2024

Snowy Valleys Council Region
  • Citizen of the Year - Noel Berry, Talbingo
  • Junior Citizen of the Year - Amelia Murray, Tumbarumba

2023

Snowy Valleys Council Region
  • Citizen of the Year – Thomas Moss
  • Service to the Community – Jen Vinge
  • Sportsperson of the Year – Piper Duck
  • Sports Team of the Year – Franklin Public School's Girls Basketball Team
  • Achievement Awards - Mary Hoodless, Danica Peel, Terry Macgregor, Rodney McLachlan, Gemma-Loiuse Bremner, Janet Kendall, Lorraine Oliver, Erin Louise Nurthen, Robyn Hotston, Rodney McLachlan, Deirdre Greenhalgh and the Ournie Hall Committee, Robert Ironside, Toby Roots, Nate Annetts,Tumut Bulls Rugby Club.

 

2022

Snowy Valleys Council Region
  • Citizen of the Year - Raymond (Dossie) Carr
  • Young Citizen of the Year -Savannah Cooper
  • Service to Community - Patricia Mangelsdorf
  • Sportsperson of the Year -Thomas Roche
  • Environmental Champion of the Year - Martin Canteros-Paz
  • Achievement Awards - Jill Dodd, John Freeman, Lesley Barlee, Samantha Phillips, Kane Stewart, Monique Toppin, Debbie Gadd, Greg Hammond, Jon Burgun, Kevin Smith, LIz Crampton, Richard Kociolek, Jai Crampton, Monique Bullock, Steven Houting, David Maginnity.

 

2021

Snowy Valleys Council Region
  • Citizen of the Year - John Cruise
  • Young Citizen of the Year - Aaron Tuilau, Edward Smith & Arthur Smith
  • Service to Community -Dr Tarek Sari
  • Sportsperson of the Year - Jacob Ambrose
  • Achievement Awards - Adrian Cass, Christine Male, Dave Crooks, Dr Tarek Sari, Emma Toohey, Kerry Kelly, Indiana Everingham, Aaron Tuilau, Edward Smith, Arthur Smith, Geoff Molineaux, Khancoban Emergency Services & Community Members, Malcolm Baker, Megan Schumer, Nigel Grant Contracting, Rudy Kopecny, Sounds of the Mountains Radio Station, Steve Matthews, Talbingo Community, Ted Clarke. 

 

2020

Snowy Valleys Council Region
  • Citizen of the Year - Jan Locke
  • Young Citizen of the Year - Rory Phillips
  • Service to Community - Tumut Takes 2
  • Sportsperson of the Year - Megan Castle
  • Sports Team of the Year - Tumut Blues Group 9 Premiership Team
  • Achievement Awards - Lucy Henderson, Neil Hamilton, Doug Gee, Jasmine Robinson, Patricia Mangelsdorf, Jan Locke, Rachel Brown, Jasmine Cremona, Talbingo Supermarket, Dr Tarek Sari, Talbingo Talkabout Committee, Phyllis Darragh, Kimberly Towse. 

 

2019

Tumbarumba Region
  • Citizen of the Year -Rod Gollan
  • Senior Citizen of the Year -George Martin
  • Young Citizen of the Year - Amy Eggleton
  • Community Group of the Year -Cycle Tumbarumba
  • Community Event of the Year - Tumbarumba Public School 150 Year Celebrations
  • Sportsperson - Charlie Bergin
  • Special Achievement Awards -Garry and Dianne McLelland, Phoenix Richards, Trevor Jones, Mary Hoodless, Karen Miles, Tumbarumba Campdraft Club, Rex Dennis, Fred Weule
 Tumut Region
  • Citizen of the Year - Keith Dawson and Hugh Packard
  • Young Citizen of the Year - Daniel Hibbens
  • Service to Community - Joy Beruter
  • Senior Sportsperson of the Year -Geoff Naylor
  • Junior Sportsperson of the Year -Grace Whyte
  • Sports Team of the Year - Tumut High School Yr7/8 Boys Netball Team
  • Achievement Awards -Leanne Turnbull, Bob Qarmby,Lori Webb, Lily Rosetta, Ronan Crain, Clare Miller, Doug Martin, Suzann Post, Jean Graham, Keith Dawson, Emma Murray, Daniel Hibbens, Adelong S&C Volunteer Group, Teagan Fava, Lori Webb, Amanda King, Leanne Turnbull, Jack Ryan Committee, Fiona Matthews, Hannah Speers, Rowena Carey, Moira-June Avery, Tumut 13s Representative Netball Team

 

2018

Tumbarumba Region
  • Citizen of the Year -Tony and Susie a’Beckett 
  • Senior Citizen of the Year - Margaret Wolter
  • Young Citizen of the Year -Charlee Blencowe
  • Sporting Award -Ian Morey
  • Community Group of the Year -St Vincent de Paul
  • Community Event of the Year - Tastebuds - Open Garden Section
  • Special Achievement Awards - Peter Marshall, Bill McClellan, Jeff Sheather, Sam Harrison, Tracey Fair, Lucy Henderson, Judy & George Szymoniczek, Glenroy Heritage Reserve Volunteers
Tumut Region
  • Citizen of the Year -Dave Eisenhauer
  • Young Citizen of the Year -Josh Veitch
  • Service to Community -Osman Darwiche
  • Senior Sportsperson of the Year -Bruce Giles
  • Junior Sportsperson of the Year -Catelin Crawford
  • Sports Team of the Year - Tumut Public School Mixed Netball Team
  • Achievement Awards - Jackie Nicholes, Bruce Giles, Osman Darwiche, Colin Akers, Leah Ferguson, Greg Kabar, Andrew James, Lions Club of Tumut, Dave Eisenhauer, Tara Arnall, Tumut Public School Girls Basketball Team

 

2017

Tumbarumba Region
  • Citizen of the Year - Ed and Jacki Lauder
  • Senior Citizen of the Year -Albert Jones
  • Young Citizen of the Year -Jemma Lorimer
  • Sporting Award -Tumbarumba Bowling Club's No.5 Pennant Team
  • Junior Sporting Award -Lily Murphy
  • Community Group of the Year -Tumbarumba Multi-Service Outlet Volunteers
  • Community Event of the Year -All Saints Deb Ball
  • Special Achievement Awards - Theresa McIntyre, David Hammersley, Bruce Wright, 
Tumut Region
  • Citizen of the Year - Graeme Sturt
  • Young Citizen of the Year - Cooryna Ackroyd
  • Service to Community - James (Robin) Reid
  • Senior Sportsperson - Brayden Elliott
  • Junior Sportsperson - Jack Gould

 

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