Twin Towns wins Heart of the Community award at state honours

TWIN Towns has been recognised for its contribution to vulnerable families, taking out the Heart of the Community category at the 2026 Clubs & Community Awards.

The award was presented at a ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, where more than 900 guests gathered to celebrate the social impact of registered clubs across New South Wales.

Twin Towns was recognised for its work in funding a new $296,000 refrigerated truck for Vibe Care Pantry, a move that has doubled the organisation’s capacity to deliver essential food supplies to around 3,000 vulnerable families amid rising homelessness and cost-of-living pressures.

Twin Towns chairman Brian Brown said the recognition was a reflection of the club’s commitment to supporting those most in need.

“It’s humbling to have that honour bestowed upon Twin Towns for what we do normally is about giving,” he said.

“I think all clubs are about gifting or giving in some shape or form to have a better community around us, to support people who are less fortunate in their life than we are.

“We really do focus on disadvantaged people and we always have and always will do that, because clubs are an integral part of our community.

 

“It doesn’t matter what you are, what you do, what your generation is, what your gender is –we will give to you if you can give something back to everybody else.”

“That’s what we’re all about. And that’s what clubs are about.”

In another strong result for the Northern Rivers region, Club Lennox was highly commended in the mental wellbeing category.

Hosted by broadcaster Ben Fordham, the black-tie event attracted community leaders, club representatives and government figures including minister for gaming and racing David Harris, minister for industrial relations, work health and safety Sophie Cotsis, NSW opposition leader Kellie Sloane and shadow minister for hospitality and gaming Kevin Anderson.

ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant said the awards highlighted the impact clubs continue to have in communities across the state.

“Clubs exist to make their communities better places to live, and that was clearly on show last night through the causes they’ve championed over the past year,” she said.

“With an exceptionally strong field of candidates, the judges were faced with an incredibly difficult task, and I couldn’t be prouder of our industry as clubs continue to deliver support that is changing lives and strengthening communities across NSW.”