Australia Day Award Nominees 2026

Published on 19 January 2026

As we prepare to celebrate Australia Day 2026 on January 26 at Bowen PCYC, Council would like to recognise this year's Australia Day Award nominees for our Whitsunday region.

Each nominee represents the spirit of our community and their remarkable achievements and commitment to making Our Whitsunday a better place to live, work and play.

Their individual stories are a testament to the strength and unity that define our wonderful community.

Citizen of the Year:

Zach Hoffman
Ryan Wilkinson
Peter Goodman
Althea Youse
Madison Doherty
Billy Li
Amanda Jackson
Luella Widt
Julia Evans
Jesse Foster

Young Citizen of the Year

Allegra Bradley
Cooper Wilde
Hayden Hudak
Millie Groom

Community Event of the Year

Collinsville Community Association
Bowen Seagulls Rugby League
Dec Mclean/ Exercise Angels
Whitsunday Cup
Proserpine Rock Wallaby Festival - Leigh Skead
Proserpine Whitsunday Junior Rugby League
Whitsunday Running Club - Whitsunday Trail Festival
Whitsunday Old Iron Restorers Club

Spirit of the Whitsundays Award

Brian Dunlop
Jesse Foster

Volunteer of the Year Award

Bowen Community Centre
Jeanon Andersen
Susan Winton
Betty Whitehorn
Wurra Yumba Kangaroo House
Gregory Buckler
Anthony Mahood
Irene Taylor
Jesse Foster

Community Champion Award - Mayoral Award

Whitsunday Leos Club
Bowen Community Op Shop
Jeanon Andersen
Justin Butler
Rob Harris – Bowen State School
Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival
Wurra Yumba - Kanagaroo House
Shane Douglas
Voluntary Management Committee Group - Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival
Jesse Foster

Join Mayor Ry Collins on Australia day - January 26 at Bowen PCYC as we celebrate Australia Day, Our Whitsunday Way and recognise the winners of each category.

Let's make this Australia Day a day of recognition, appreciation and community pride. Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate these remarkable individuals! Good luck to all the nominees!

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