Ballina announces 2026 Australia Day Award nominees

BALLINA Shire Council has announced the nominees for the 2026 Australia Day Awards, recognising residents, groups and organisations for their contribution to the community.

The nominees were released ahead of the Australia Day ceremony, which will be held on Monday January 26 at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre.

The awards have run for more than 40 years and recognise volunteers, young leaders, environmental advocates, artists, sportspeople and community groups across the shire.

Ballina Shire mayor Sharon Cadwallader said the awards recognised the people who helped shape the local community.

“These awards honour the people who help shape a vibrant, resilient community and remind us that local contribution, in all its forms, is at the heart of what makes our shire special,” Cr Cadwallader said.

“A big thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination this year,” she said.

“Your efforts help shine a light on outstanding individuals and groups whose work often happens behind the scenes.”

Nominees span eight categories, including young citizen, senior citizen, volunteer of the year, arts and culture, environment, sport and community event of the year.

The nominees for the Young Citizen Award are Hugo Adlington, Tyler Causley-James, Ava Delaney, Patrick Jones, Aoife Kingston, Stella Payne, Eli Simmons and Amity Sweeney.

Senior Citizen Award nominees are Joan Ashford, Kenneth Brown, Wayne Crawford, Gail Burley, Jane Gardiner, Cheryl and Wesley Inwood, Adrian Walsh, Lloyd Morris and Malcolm Johnson.

Volunteer of the Year nominees include Jillian Challinor, Helen Cooney, Jemma Coulter, Geoff Hutchinson, Joel Orchard, John Smith, Ballina Netball Association, Marine Rescue Ballina, Wollongbar Alstonville Rugby Club Committee, Ballina U3A, Lennox Head Residents’ Association Inc, Ballina Threshold Singers, Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond and Scope Club.

Arts and Culture Award nominees are Ray Arnott, Miah Bradley, Meggan-Lee Drew, Jim Hawkins and Archie Mason-Reynolds.

Environmental Award nominees include Stephen Axford, Amanda Philp, NSW TurtleWatch, Friends of the Koala, Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond DIKers, Ballina Environment Society, Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue, Lennox Head Landcare and Partners, and Ballina RSL represented by Claire Tyson and Sarah Rozario.

Sports Award nominees include Jett Beck, Gary Bond, Trevor Dancer, Alexandra Dogan, Eve Drew, Michael Gidding, Emanuelle Harding, Hayden Kelvin, Asha Ledingham, Sam Miller, Ballina Coast Walking Football and the Ballina Allstars Athletics team.

Community Event of the Year nominees are the Alstonville Wollongbar Fun Run, The Ox 100km for Run DIPG, Carols on the Plateau, Rafiki Royale, Folded Festival, Northern Rivers Regional Rally Pickleball Tournament, North Coast Show and Shine and the Oceania Cup.

Winners across each category, along with the Citizen of the Year, will be announced at the ceremony.

The event will run from 9am to 11am and is open to the public.

BY CHARLIE GREEN