Australia Day Awards & Ceremony

The annual Federation Council’s Australia Day Awards honours and acknowledges individuals and groups who have made a noteworthy contribution during the current year and/or given outstanding service to the local community over several years.

The ceremony will include the announcement of the Federation Council Citizen of the Year Award, Young Citizen of the Year Award, Local Hero Award - Individual, Local Hero Award - Sports, Local Hero Award - Community Group as well as recognition of the Student Achiever Award recipients.

The Awards are provided by Federation Council, and decided by Council’s Elected Australia Day Awards Panel.

Federation Council’s 2026 Australia Day Awards and Ceremony is assisted by the National Australia Day Council.

2026 Australia Day Ceremony

Come along and celebrate Australia Day at the Federation Council Australia Day Awards & Ceremony to be held in Corowa at the Corowa Memorial Hall.

There are 16 remarkable individual and group nominees for the 2026 Australia Day Awards who exemplify outstanding community service, leadership, and dedication to making a positive impact in their local area. The Awards are provided by Federation Council, and decided by Council’s Elected Australia Day Awards Panel.

The ceremony commencing at 10am, Monday 26 January 2026 will include the announcement of the Federation Council Citizen of the Year Award, Young Citizen of the Year Award, Local Hero Awards for Community Group, Sports and Individual, as well as recognition of the Student Achiever Award recipients and Citizenship Ceremony.

Live entertainment by the Swag ‘n’ Billy Bush Band and a complimentary BBQ lunch accompanied by desserts infused with bush tucker flavours will follow the ceremony.

Federation Council is delighted to announce that John Harper OAM, founder of the mental health and wellbeing initiative and podcast series, Mate Helping Mate, will be the region’s official Australia Day Ambassador for 2026. A retired wheat and sheep farmer from the Riverina, John brings a profound understanding of the challenges faced by rural communities, who often struggle with social isolation and limited resources for mental health support.