Hilltops Australia Day 2026 Recipients Announced
Young Australia Day Ambassador Warwick Nowland with Young Australia Day Citizen of the Year, Ted Webber.
Harden-Murrumburrah Citizen of the Year, Sarah and Andrew Jones (centre) with Australia Day Ambassador Mr. Khushaal Vyas and Antonia Brown (HRDC).
Wombatian Citizen of the Year, Cathy Simpson with Australia Day Ambassador Mr. Khushaal Vyas.
Lions/Apex Boorowa Citizen of the Year, Angus Clements (second on right) with Australia Day Ambassadors Ms. Mel Thomas and Isla alongside Boorowa Lions Club representative Barry Miller.
Young Junior Citizen of the Year, Joshua Cameron with Hilltops Council Mayor Brian Ingram.
Harden-Murrumburrah Special Community Award, Lorraine Brown with Australia Day Ambassador Mr. Khushaal Vyas.
Wombat Senior Sportsperson of the Year, Heidi Stevens with Australia Day Ambassador Mr. Khushaal Vyas.
Boorowa Rotary Young Achiever of the Year, Mackella Pye and Michelle Faye (representing Jack Faye – centre) alongside Australia Day Ambassadors Ms. Mel Thomas and Isla and Rotary representative Ingrid Corcoran.
Young Business of the Year, Jennings Mower and Saws, Dianne and Lyle Jennings.
Harden-Murrumburrah Towncare Award, Stephen Pinney with Australia Day Ambassador Mr. Khushaal Vyas.
Junior Wombatian Citizen of the Year, Daniel Britt with Australia Day Ambassador Mr. Khushaal Vyas.
Boorowa Community Award recipient, Graeme Chown.
Young Sportsperson of the Year, Mackenzie Platt and Eliza Taylor with Hilltops Council Mayor Brian Ingram.
Harden-Murrumburrah Community Group of the Year, Harden Red Devils Senior Rugby Union Club represented by Charlie Brown. Alongside Mr. Khushaal Vyas and Antonia Brown (HRDC).
Wombat Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Kaydee Britt with Australia Day Ambassador Mr. Khushaal Vyas.
Boorowa Community Award recipient, Darrell Armour and Australia Day Ambassador Mel Thomas.
Harden-Murrumburrah Junior Citizen of the Year, Murrumburrah Public School Rugby 7’s Team. Alongside Mr. Khushaal Vyas and Antonia Brown (HRDC).
Boorowa Sporting Team of the Year, Boorowa Central School Under 16 Girls Touch Football Team with Australia Day Ambassadors Ms. Mel Thomas and Isla.
Ceremonies were held across the Hilltops region on Monday 26 January 2026 to celebrate Australia Day and recognise the achievements of some very deserving Hilltops residents.
Congratulations to the Hilltops 2026 Australia Day Award Winners:
Boorowa
- Lions/Apex Boorowa Citizen of the Year – Angus Clements
- The Len & Joan Oxley Memorial Award – Dawn Barton
- Rotary Young Achiever of the Year – Mackella Pye and Jack Fahey
- Senior Sportsperson of the Year – Isabella Piper and Eliza Taylor
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year (18 years and under) – Ivy Taylor
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year (12 years and under) – Digby Merriman
- Sporting Team of the Year – Boorowa Central School Under 16 Girls Touch Football Team
- Club Person of the Year – Tim Gregory
- Community Awards – Darrell Armour, Graeme Chown, Christine Coble, Bernadette McGrath and Lillian and Gary Southwell
Harden-Murrumburrah
- Citizen of the Year – Sarah and Andrew Jones
- Junior Citizen of the Year – Murrumburrah Public School Rugby 7’s Team (Tanna Brooks, Josie Brown, Phoebe Brown, Sophie Ford, Holly Glover, Pippa Jones, Dakota Medley & Indey Sommer)
- Special Community Award – Lorraine Brown
- Community Group of the Year – Harden Red Devils Senior Rugby Union Club
- Towncare Award – Stephen Pinney
Wombat
- Wombatian Citizen of the Year – Cathy Simpson
- Junior Wombatian Citizen of the Year – Daniel Britt
- Senior Sportsperson of the Year – Heidi Stevens
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year – Kaydee Britt
Young
- Citizen of the Year – Ted Webber
- Junior Citizen of the Year – Joshua Cameron
- Sportsperson of the Year – Mackenzie Platt and Eliza Taylor
- Young Business of the Year – Jennings Mower & Saws
Thank you to everyone who put forward a nomination and congratulations to all nominees. Some images of award recipients below.