Dungog Shire Council proudly congratulates the winners of the 2026 Australia Day Awards, celebrating the incredible people who make our community such a special place to live.
The awards recognise locals who give their time, energy and hearts to support others, often quietly and without expectation, and whose contributions help strengthen the Dungog Shire year after year.
2026 Citizens of the Year
This year's Citizen of the Year Award was jointly awarded to Gillian Finch and Annette Ellicott, two highly respected community members whose decades of service, volunteering and care for others truly represent the very best of our Shire.
2026 Australia Day Award recipients
Council also congratulates the following award recipients:
Young Citizen of the Year: Isla Briggs
Volunteer Service to the Community Award: Vicki Lee Rumbel
Environmental Citizen of the Year: Simon Brownbridge & Loo Boothroyd
Senior Sportsperson of the Year: Shelby Lee Wintle
Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Shea Egan & Reid Townsend
Arts & Culture Award: Helene Lene
Special guests and new citizens
Council was pleased to welcome State Member Mr Dave Layzell to the ceremony, along with 2026 Australia Day Ambassador Viv Kartsounis, founder of Shoes for Planet Earth. Viv is a passionate changemaker whose charity has helped transform more than 100,000 lives by providing sports shoes to people in need across Australia and 24 other countries.
We also welcomed our two newest Australian Citizens to the Shire. A big welcome to Carina Ryan and Rodelyn Jones. It's wonderful to have you as part of our community
Council congratulates all award recipients and nominees and thanks them for the positive impact they make across our Shire.
