2026 Australia Day Award nominees announced
Published on 12 January 2026
More than 186 nominations were received for 98 amazing Mackay region residents and groups for the 2026 Mackay Regional Council Australia Day Awards.
Council would like to extend a massive congratulations to all these amazing people and groups.
Council would also like to thank the 131 individuals who submitted nominations, with many submitting multiple nominations.
Nominations were welcomed across the following categories: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Arts and Culture, Environmental Achievement, Lori Burgess Community Volunteer, Brenden Borellini Access and Inclusion Award, Community Group, Senior Sports and Young Sports Award.
All award winners and nominees will be recognised at a special awards ceremony at the MECC on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, January 14 at 1pm until Friday, January 16 at 2pm, unless sold out earlier to nominees and nominators.
The Australia Day Awards are proudly sponsored by P. Comino and Sons and Tropical Exposure and are supported by Star FM, 4MK and 7NEWS Mackay.
The following residents and groups were nominated:
Citizen of the Year
- Amanda Potter
- Beau Bath
- Colin Benson
- Corrie Thompson
- Denise McCallum
- Doug Petersen
- Dr Michael Zhang
- Dr Sanjeev Bandi
- Fallon Drewett
- Jacob King
- Jade Leeson
- Katrina Hoare
- Kay Nyenuh
- Lisa and Terry Jamieson
- Luke Tory
- Melissa Aylward-Gale
- Memory Pori
- Michael Buckeridge
- Michaele Colls
- Owen Shipp
- Sean Murphy
- Snr Sgt Jeremy Novosel
- Ty Mcilrath
- Zac Wilson
Young Citizen of the Year
- Amelia Bishop
- Amelia Webber
- Arhamah Haider
- Emersen Lamb
- Krystal DeMaid
- Lila Munt
- Mitchell Gross
- Nate Ralph
Lori Burgess Community Volunteer of the Year
- Alma Blake
- Amanda Potter
- Ashley Fry
- Cathy Platts
- Cheryl Hawkins
- Denise McCallum
- Doug Petersen
- Dr Alison Pighills
- Edith Weiss
- Frank Caruana
- Frank De Battista
- Gerri Kissner
- Joanne Vanstralen
- Jodie Whitby
- Karen Turner
- Katrina Hoare
- Leah Rogers
- Lisa and Terry Jamieson
- Marion Keir
- Michaele Colls
- Noel Senini
- Paul Anderson
- Robyn Bowden
- Sharon Cahill
- Sharon Turner
- Terry Jamieson
- Tracey Stevenson
- Valerie Clark
- Yvette Jeffs
Brenden Borellini Access and Inclusion Achievement Award
- Anthony Moore
- Cheryl Hawkins
- Heath Cruckshank
- Krystal DeMaid
- Luke Tory
- Margaret Ross
- SNAGS Inc.
- Tracey Stevenson
Arts and Culture Award
- Cherie Hughes
- Fallon Drewett
- Jamesley Gourlay
- Mackay City Heart Collective
- Mitchell Gross
- Nicole Thomson
- Printbank Mackay
Community Group Award
- Finley Smith Memorial Cup
- First Nations Netball Carnival Mackay Inc.
- Happy Paws Happy Hearts
- Hibiscus Coast District Scouts
- Lifeline Mackay Centre
- Mackay Parkrun
- Mackay City Girl Guides District
- Mackay Pet Rescue Incorporated
- Mackay Surf Lifesaving Supports Club Inc.
- Marabisda Women’s Group
- Marine Rescue Qld (Mackay Branch)
- Pioneer Valley Rail Trail
- Project Pink
- Pure Vintage Band
- Queensland Country Women’s Association (Mackay Branch)
- Sarina Bowls Club
- Slade Point Progress Association
- SNAGS Inc
- Special Olympics Mackay Fire
- The Held Project
- The Pink Vo Collective
Environmental Achievement Award
- Dr Alison Pighills
- Irene Champion
- Joanne Vanstralen
- Sian Lawson
- Suzanne McCormack
- Yvette Jeffs
Senior Sports Award
- Anthony Cahill
- Cathy Platts
- Charmayne Sleeman
- Dale Potter
- Daniel Mayfield
- Gerri Kissner
- Sean Murphy
- Sharon Turner
- Tahlia Little
- Tracey Stevenson
Young Sports Award
- Ayla Moon
- Cheyenne Gsheidle
- Cooper Venz
- Hudson Mayfield
- Isabel Smith
- Krystal DeMaid
- Mereoni Vuibeqa
- Zara Richardson