Australia Day

The Australia Day Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate members or organisations that have made outstanding contributions to the wider Maranoa community. Awards are presented in each category for each region within the Maranoa, with the awards presented at local ceremonies on Australia Day.

Nominations for 2027 are officially open!

Nominations close 31 October 2026.

Nomination categories are as follows:

Citizen of the Year: For individuals aged 26 and over who have given outstanding volunteer service or community leadership over several years.
Young Citizen of the Year: For individuals aged 12 to 25 who have made a significant positive impact in their local community.
Community Contribution Award: Recognises individuals who actively volunteer in the community, including in committees, clubs, or organisations, and who have made a valuable contribution to community growth, development, quality of life, or participation in local activities.
Community Organisation Award: Presented to a not-for-profit organisation that has made a substantial contribution through events, services, or initiatives between November 2025 and November 2026.
Cultural Contribution Award: Recognises achievements in arts, culture, or heritage preservation.
Sports Award: In recognition of people or teams who have made an outstanding record of achievement in sport and who have served as noteworthy ambassadors for their sport at regional, state, or international level.
Junior Sports Award: In recognition of people or teams who have made an outstanding record of achievement in sport and who have served as noteworthy ambassadors for their sport at regional, state, or international level.
Andrea Murray Memorial Award (Regional Award): Presented in memory of Andrea Murray by David Murray, recognising people who have made a significant contribution to the disability sector through paid or voluntary work. The recipient’s name will be engraved on the perpetual trophy.

Please note all nominees must be Australian citizens and residents of the Maranoa Regional Council at the time of nomination.

Online Nomination Form

Nomination Form(PDF, 408KB)

Guidelines(PDF, 882KB)

Australia Day Award Recipients

2026

Citizen of the Year

Wallumbilla & Surrounds - Doreen Smith
Injune & Surrounds - Janice Humphreys
Mitchell & Surrounds - Donna McCarrol
Roma - Bob Kunde
Surat & Surrounds - Wendy McAlpine

Community Contribution

Wallumbilla & Surrounds - Maria (Ree) Price
Injune & Surrounds - Doris McKay
Mitchell & Surrounds - Maggie Caskey
Roma - Marlene Auld
Surat & Surrounds - Laurel Bridge

Community Organisation

Wallumbilla & Surrounds - Calico Cottage
Injune & Surrounds - Injune Collective
Mitchell & Surrounds - Mitchell Golf Club – Outback Masters
Roma - Roma Bush Gardens Association
Surat & Surrounds - Warroona Retirement Village

Cultural Award

Wallumbilla & Surrounds - Lorraine Cormack
Injune & Surrounds - Cultural Heritage Injune Preservation Society
Mitchell & Surrounds - Mungallala & District Progress Association Inc – Memorial Hall’s 70th Sub Committee
Roma - Roma on Bungil Art Gallery Inc
Surat & Surrounds - Ross Mundy