Nominations will open for the 2026 Australia Day Awards later this year.
Aims
To recognise outstanding contributions to the local communities of Braidwood, Bungendore, Captains Flat and Queanbeyan regions between November and October each year.
Eligibility
The Young Citizen Award is open to those persons between 14 and 26 years of age as at 26 January (Australia Day) each year.
The Citizen Award is for those persons over 27 years of age on that day.
- Criteria for eligibility includes contribution to the community including the length and quantity of service, and the quality of service includ
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- ing individual acts of compassion, generosity, bravery, etc.
- Those who have previously been nominated, but have not received an Award, are eligible to be nominated again.
- Clubs, associations and individuals can nominate a person. However clubs, associations and other organisations cannot be nominated for this award.
- People cannot nominate themselves.
Judging
Entries are judged by the Australia Day Annual Community Awards Committee. The decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
How to enter
- Complete the online application form or
- Download and complete a hardcopy form
- Hardcopy forms, should be sent to The Secretary, Australia Day Annual Community Awards Committee, QPRC via email to council@qprc.nsw.gov.au or mail to PO Box 90, Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Additional information
- Judging will be based on the information given in the nomination. Please ensure it is complete and accurate.
- General statements provide insufficient information for judging purposes. Please be specific about highlights and achievements.
- Include both past and present activities.
- Include achievements or initiatives of your nominee as an individual and/or as a member of an organization.
Nominations have now closed.
Aims
To select the best conducted events in Braidwood, Bungendore, Captains Flat and Queanbeyan between November and the following October each year.
Eligibility
The Community Event Award is open to any event which has contributed to the Queanbeyan-Palerang community between November and the following October each year.
Community events that have previously been nominated but have not received an Award are eligible to be nominated again.
Clubs, associations, service groups and individuals can nominate an event/service. The Community Event Award is open to any event which has contributed to the Queanbeyan-Palerang community between November and the following October each year.
Judging
Entries will be judged by the Australia Day Annual Community Awards Committee.
How to enter
- Complete the online application form below or
- Download and complete a hardcopy form . Hardcopy forms should be sent to The Secretary, Australia Day Annual Community Awards Committee, QPRC, via email to council@qprc.nsw.gov.au or mail to PO Box 90, Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Additional notes
- Judging will be based on the information given in the nomination. Please ensure it is complete and accurate.
- General statements do not provide enough information for judging purposes. Please be specific about highlights and achievements
Nominations have now closed.
Braidwood
Marjorie Lemin was awarded Citizen of the Year for Braidwood for her impressive service to her community, especially her leadership of the Braidwood Book Fair. The event runs twice a year and has steadily grown over the last 30 years to become a major fundraising event in Braidwood. The success of the event is largely thanks to the selflessness, diligence and hard work of Marjorie. Marjorie is also an active and respected member of the Anglican Parish and other community groups.
Braidwood’s Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Isaac Gardiner for being community minded and committed to helping others through Scouts. Isaac is a proud member of the 1st Braidwood Scout Group, joining as a Cub in 2019, moving up to Scouts in 2020. During this time he has been a constant and active member in all activities, particularly helping younger members at camps. Isaac has been a member of the Junior section of the Braidwood RFS brigade since October 2023, participating in training sessions on a regular basis and developing his skills until he reaches the age where he can participate in active call outs. He also works casually at the Braidwood Capital Chemist and is widely regarded as a kind, respectful and helpful team member.
The Majors Creek Hotel Woodchop was awarded Event of the Year for Braidwood. The inaugural event brought the whole community together and lots of people came to town to be part of the day. During the lead up to the event, over ten thousand dollars of sponsorship money and goods in kind were donated, including skips, toilets, and 28 raffle prizes.
Bungendore
Bungendore’s Citizen of the Year was awarded to Anthony Rayner for his quiet dedication to his community. Tony exemplifies the true spirit of selflessness, consistently offering his time, effort, and support without expecting anything in return. Tony embodies the belief that true service is not about recognition but about making a difference. He firmly believes that no one, particularly the youth in Bungendore, should go without and always does what he can to make sure they don’t miss out on opportunities others might have. A longtime member of the Bungendore Tigers and regular face at fundraising events in Bungendore, Tony is the person behind the scenes.
Evan Ball was awarded Young Citizen of the Year for Bungendore for his dedication to the 1st Bungendore Scouts. Evan is a kind and respectful young person who has grown enormously with Scouts over the last few years. He is a hard worker who takes care of his peers. Evan is the first to put up his hand to volunteer with any community event at scouts, school, or other community organisations and always looking to support those around him.
The Bungendore Show was awarded Event of the Year for Bungendore. Featuring sheep and cattle judging, equestrian events, woodchop displays, performances from local dance groups and so much more. The show was a fantastic community event that showcased Bungendore’s community spirit.
Captains Flat
Citizen of the Year was awarded to John Gough in Captains Flat for his unwavering commitment to serving his community. John is a remarkable member of the Captains Flat Brigade and shows commendable courage in responding to emergencies and fires. His readiness to protect and serve is deeply appreciated by all. John also takes meticulous care in the upkeep of the town, particularly the rose garden. He also creates plaques and memorials for various causes in town, showing his incredible creativity and craftsmanship. John has made significant contributions to the town’s rich heritage and sense of community.
Captains Flat’s Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Isabelle Hume for her ongoing support and dedication to the Captain's Flat Rural Fire Service (RFS). Isabella is an active member of the Captains Flat RFS and is dedicated to improving her skills. She is a young leader, taking on a mentoring role and sharing her impressive knowledge with new members. Isabelle’s commitment to the Captain's Flat community goes beyond her role in the RFS. She is an active in various community events and initiatives, always willing to lend a helping hand where needed.
The Event of the Year was the Captains Flat Bush Dance. This fun local event was made possible by many members of the community coming together to make sure everything ran smoothly. There were fun prizes for best boots and hats. Snacks to share were provided by the community. It was an event made for and by the Captains Flat community.
Queanbeyan
Queanbeyan’s Citizen of the Year was Wendy Grant. Wendy is a core member of the Queanbeyan Park Tennis Club (QPTC) and her dedication to the club and the sport directly benefits the community. Wendy is driven to provide high quality tennis and pickleball facilities for both tennis club members and the broader community. She has helped to provide subsidised fees for junior players to play, to grow participation, and support access to sport in our region. Wendy is the primary grant writer for QPTC and was instrumental securing funding for LED court lighting replacements at the Campbell Street complex and the Waniassa Street complex. The upgrade at Waniassa Street introduced pickleball last year. Wendy took on the significant project management responsibilities for the Waniassa Street complex upgrade. The club can now host more social, casual and competition tennis. The opening of the upgraded complex has resulted in a significant increase to the Club’s membership.
Jerikye Williams was awarded Young Citizen of the Year for Queanbeyan for his work with music and young First Nations people. Jerikye is a proud Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri man who followed his passion for music through school, taking opportunities to perform in front of his peers at Queanbeyan High School and improve his confidence and skill as a musician. Jerikye is a well-known face around town, whether it’s for his volunteering with First Nations groups or performing locally. His career has reached a new level with his recent acting performance in a play in Cowra, NSW. This has seen him being nominated for a Canberra Area Theatre (CAT) Award. Jerikye inspires local youth to stay in school, follow their heart and work hard to achieve their goals. His newly released original music encourages the uniting of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to celebrate this land and the joy of storytelling through the arts.
Googfest 2024 was awarded Event of the Year for Queanbeyan. Googfest has been ‘putting Googong on the map' since 2015 and in 2024 it was headlined by country singer, Travis Collins. Last year’s country theme proved enormously popular attracting new audiences to the event, with visitors getting into the theme with cowboy hats and boots. The event was truly all ages, with grandparents, toddlers, teenagers, and adults mixing and enjoying the show. Googfest 2024 amplifies Googong’s strong sense of community and provides a unique free event during a cost-of-living crisis.
This year two Mayoral Awards were presented to the Queanbeyan Country Muster for a great night of music featuring some of Country’s biggest stars and the Formally Formal Wear Op Shop for taking the financial pressure out of this milestone event for high school students.
Bungendore
Beryl Tarttelin was awarded Citizen of the Year for Bungendore for her outstanding dedication to the Bungendore community. Upon moving to Bungendore 18 years ago Beryl immediately joined the Rotary Club of Bungendore where she has volunteered at many club events, hosted an exchange student and served as club president for some time. During her early years in Bungendore Beryl would tutor local children — many of whom had learning or language difficulties — often free of charge. Since retiring from teaching, Beryl has been dedicated to advocating for seniors in our region. She is an active member of the local Bridge Club, helped start a Seniors Chair Yoga group in Bungendore, and is currently working to establish a new over 55s Seniors Group in Bungendore.
Bungendore’s Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Sen McNamara for their fierce advocacy of gender inclusivity. Sen’s passion for social justice and challenging conventional gender norms led them to establishing a support group for queer youth in Bungendore in 2021. Sen has been a part of the 1st Bungendore Scout Group for nearly ten years, participating in many fundraising events and representing Scouts at MardiGras in 2023. Sen also played an important role in Bungendore Medical Centre’s COVID immunisation clinics and has maintained a remote area First Aid accreditation to provide First Aid for the ACT Rogaining Association.
The Bungendore Preschool Fair and Pig Races was awarded Event of the Year for Bungendore. On Saturday 4 March 2023, the Bungendore community came together to raise money for the town’s beloved not-for-profit preschool. All community groups and organisations in Bungendore attended or participated in the event, pitching in with stalls or organising games and activities like pig racing. The event was a great success and helped bring the town together.
Braidwood
Braidwood’s Citizen of the Year was awarded to Richard Elliot for his committed service to the Braidwood community. Richard was originally Captain at the Farringdon Rural Fire Service but transferred to the Majors Creek Brigade to help build membership numbers. Despite undergoing a triple bypass in February 2019, Richard was on the front lines of the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires for three months, working hard to keep his community safe. He is the Chair of the Braidwood National Theatre s355 Committee and is very hands on with the venue’s events and maintenance. He is also Chair of the Braidwood sponsorship team within the Braidwood and Bungendore Community Bank branches. Richard is an active committee member of the Native Animal Rescue Group and volunteers as a patient driver for Braidwood residents that need to get to specialist appointments in Canberra or Goulburn.
Henry Campbell was awarded Young Citizen of the Year for Braidwood for being community minded and committed to helping others through Scouts. Henry has been a member of the 1st Braidwood Scouts since 2016. He regularly helps with the delivery and unloading of firewood for firewood raffles and the collection of empty cans and bottles to recycle for Scouts funding. Three years ago, Henry set up his own small business selling handmade tea towels to help fund his trip to the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea where he was the only representative from the area. Henry recently received his Australian Scout Award which is the peak award for Scouts aged 11-14 and is a milestone in a youth member’s Scouting journey. Henry also volunteers his time to help a local elderly couple with various chores.
The Nerriga Camp Oven Cookoff was awarded Event of the Year for Braidwood. Eight local teams, featuring about 40 people of all ages, took part in the competition, practicing their skills weeks in advance to be competition ready. More than 100 people from Nerriga and surrounds attended or were involved in the event which helped raise more than $14,000 for the Black Dog Institute. The community rallied together to make sure the day was a success, generously volunteering their time to make sure it ran smoothly.
Captains Flat
Citizen of the Year was awarded to Anita King in Captains Flat for her exceptional dedication to the Captains Flat community. Anita has been a Captains Flat Area s355 Committee member for over a decade, helping to make a significant impact on the amenities available to the community and those passing through. She has been a long-time member of the Captains Flat Community Association where she previously held executive positions, as well as a member of the Back to the Flat Organising Committee. Anita was a driving force behind the resurgence of the Back to the Flat event which helped to reinvigorate the community following the pandemic. Over the years she has also helped organise many children’s dances, community socials, carols in the park and community touch football events.
Bohdi Ethan James was awarded Young Citizen of the Year for Captains Flat for his volunteer work with various organisations in the community. Bohdi is a junior member of the Captains Flat RFS where he supports the brigade with preparation before trucks are deployed and with clean-up when they return. He volunteers with the Captains Flat Men’s Shed Café every weekend and at the Captain’s Treasure Op-Shop every week. Bohdi also does gardening for people in town who need help and shaved off his dreadlocks to raise $1000 for the Ricky Stuart Foundation.
Back to the Flat was awarded Event of the Year for Captains Flat. After a decade long break, the annual event was resumed in 2023 with the help of a dedicated group of Captains Flat community members. Hundreds of people attended the event and enjoyed a range of activities including amusements, facepainting, food and drink stalls, sheep shearing, wood-chopping, small car and stationary engine displays, an adult obstacle course and live music. Back to the Flat 2023 helped bring the Captains Flat community together after a difficult few years following the 2019/20 bushfires and the pandemic. The event also celebrated the grand reopening of the restored Captains Flat Hotel.
Queanbeyan
Maria Porreca was awarded Citizen of the Year for Queanbeyan for her involvement with various organisations and her commitment to enhancing the lives of people in her community. In 1958, Maria migrated to Australia from Italy as a child with her family. Over the years, she has been involved with many voluntary charitable organisations including the Good Neighbour Council, Mary Mead, and the Italian Youth Association. She successfully campaigned to bring the Bendigo Bank to Canberra and Queanbeyan where she served on the board for ten years. In recent years, Maria has been on the committee management of QBN FM and is currently an active member of the Country Women’s Association, organiser of the Heart Foundation Health Walking Group, and the Queanbeyan Seniors Group.
Queanbeyan’s Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Meika Lindsey for her passionate advocacy for young people in New South Wales. Meika is a member of the NSW Youth Advisory Council and the NSW Regional Youth Taskforce where she works to make sure young people’s voices are heard in government. Her advocacy in these groups has a particular focus on creating opportunities for regional youth, cultural inclusivity, and mental health. Meika is a proud Aboriginal Biripai woman and after recognising a lack of opportunity for other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, she established and is president of the Queanbeyan Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group. Through the consultative group, she has helped to form Aboriginal support groups within 20 schools across the region to improve outcomes for First Nations students.
The Queanbeyan leg of the 100 Years of Legacy Centenary Torch Relay was awarded Event of the Year for Queanbeyan. The event celebrated 100 years of Legacy supporting families of veterans who gave their life or health for our country with social, financial, and developmental support. The Torch Relay started in Belgium and made its way through France and England before travelling all around Australia where the final leg of the NSW relay took place in Queanbeyan. Local veterans, legatees, and other community members were chosen to be torchbearers and were joined by local schools and the public to complete the relay. Queanbeyan Legacy hosted a reception at the Legacy Village for 300 people, serving food with the help of the CWA, Queanbeyan Rotary, and the Red Cross.
Braidwood
- Citizen of the Year - Laurann Yen and Sally Matthews
- Young Citizen of the Year - Charlie Campbell
- Braidwood Event of the Year - The Young Writers Festival
Bungendore
- Citizen of the Year - Keith Foulds
- Young Citizen of the Year - Chloe Parkinson
- Bungendore’s Event of the Year was awarded to Bungendore Police Station, Memorial Gardens and Commemorative Service for the Commemoration of Constable Bradley Van Heythuysen
Captains Flat
- Citizen of the Year - Fay Grunsell
- Young Citizen of the Year - Paul Gamble
Queanbeyan
- Citizen of the Year - Kelli Rixon
- Young Citizen of the Year - Ruby Holden
- Braidwood Event of the Year - Carols @ Jerra (Jerrabomberra Residents Association)
Read more about the 2023 recipients here
Braidwood
- Citizen of the Year - Nick Fry
- Young Citizen of the Year - Nelson Sargent
- Community Event of the Year - Braidwood FM The Good People of Nerriga podcast
Bungendore
- Citizen of the Year - Debbie Simms
- Young Citizen of the Year - Cameron Miller
- Community Event of the Year - Bungendore ANZAC Day dinner
Captains Flat
- Citizen of the Year - Phil Dickson
- Young Citizen of the Year - Liam Osborne-Russell
- Community Event of the Year - Flaherty's Family Amusements
Queanbeyan
- Citizen of the Year - Christine Butler
- Young Citizen of the Year - Joash Taufa'ahau
- Community Event of the Year - Sleepbus®
You can read more about the recipients here.