Introducing the 2026 Ballina Shire Australia Day Award nominees
Ballina Shire’s everyday heroes have been recognised with the announcement of the nominees for the 2026 Australia Day Awards.
For more than four decades these awards have celebrated the people whose generosity and community spirit strengthen our region. This year’s nominees span volunteers, environmental champions, young leaders, artists, coaches, and the quiet achievers who keep local groups running without fanfare.
Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said the awards highlight the importance of local contribution.
“These awards honour the people who help shape a vibrant, resilient community and remind us that local contribution, in all its forms, is at the heart of what makes our shire special,” she said.
“A big thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination this year. Your efforts help shine a light on outstanding individuals and groups whose work often happens behind the scenes.”
Council congratulated all nominees, noting that each has made a meaningful difference through volunteering, advocacy, creativity, mentorship or service.
Below is the full list of nominees for 2026.
Young Citizen Award
(under 30 years)
Hugo Adlington
Tyler Causley-James
Ava Delaney
Patrick Jones
Aoife Kingston
Stella Payne
Eli Simmons
Amity Sweeney
Senior Citizen Award
(60 years and over)
Joan Ashford
Kenneth Brown
Wayne Crawford
Gail Burley
Jane Gardiner
Cheryl and Wesley Inwood
Adrian Walsh
Lloyd Morris
Malcolm Johnson
Volunteer of the Year Award
(open age)
Jillian Challinor
Helen Cooney
Jemma Coulter
Geoff Hutchinson
Joel Orchard
John Smith
Ballina Netball Association
Marine Rescue Ballina
Wollongbar Alstonville Rugby Club Committee
Ballina U3A
Lennox Head Residents’ Association Inc
Ballina Threshold Singers
Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond
Scope Club
Arts and Culture Award
Ray Arnott
Miah Bradley
Meggan-Lee Drew
Jim Hawkins
Archie Mason-Reynolds
Environmental Award
Stephen Axford
Amanda Philp
NSW TurtleWatch (Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue)
Friends of the Koala
Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond (DIKers)
Ballina Environment Society
Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue
Lennox Head Landcare and partners
Ballina RSL (Claire Tyson and Sarah Rozario)
Sports Award
Jett Beck
Gary Bond
Trevor Dancer
Alexandra Dogan
Eve Drew
Michael Gidding
Emanuelle Harding
Hayden Kelvin
Asha Ledingham
Sam Miller
Ballina Coast Walking Football
Ballina Allstars Athletics – National Australian Junior and Open Championships 2025 team
Community Event of the Year
Alstonville Wollongbar Fun Run
The Ox 100km for Run DIPG
Carols on the Plateau
Rafiki Royale
Folded Festival
Northern Rivers Regional Rally Pickleball Tournament
North Coast Show and Shine
Oceania Cup
Above: Volunteer Award nominee Jemma Coulter from the Alstonville Wollongbar Chamber of Commerce at the Alstonville Community Markets with Mayor Sharon Cadwallader. Coulter spearheaded the market launch and revival of the chamber.
Main photo: Marine Rescue Captain Geoff Hutchinson at the wheel of Ballina’s new BA 30 vessel which he helped raise substantial funding towards
Ballina on Richmond Rotary Club stalwart and Senior Citizen finalist, Wayne Crawford
