Australia Day
Australia Day 2026
Nominations closed on Wednesday 14 January 2026, for the 2026 NSW Local Citizen of the Year Awards.
Rural and regional communities like ours are famous for selflessness, community-mindedness, and heroism in times of need and crisis. The Snowy Monaro community plays a big part in making the place we call home such an incredible place to live, work and raise a family.
Each year, Snowy Monaro Australia Day committees from Bombala, Cooma and Jindabyne register for the program.
The award categories this year are:
- Citizen of the Year (All nominees considered)
- Young Citizen of the Year (under 30 years)
- Senior Citizen of the Year (Nominees 65 years and over)
- Sportsperson of the Year (All nominees, including groups considered)
- Young Sportsperson of the Year (under 30 years)
- Environmental Citizen of the Year (individual or community group, open aged)
- Australia Day Award
Nominations close 11.59pm Wednesday 14 January 2026.
Awards will be presented at Australia Day ceremonies held at:
- Bombala 8am Saturday 24 January 2026
- Cooma 10am Monday 26 January 2026
- Jindabyne 9.30am Monday 26 January 2026
Event information
Bombala Australia Day | Saturday 24 January
Shearing competition from 8am, workshops, foods stalls, kids craft, free entertainment, local sausage competition and awards presentation
Attended by ambassador Dr Benjamin Veness, Churchill Fellow, Child Psychiatrist and Mental Health Advocate
Berridale | Monday 26 January
Berridale Lions Park, 10am free community BBQ
Bredbo | Monday 26 January
Australia Day breakfast at the Bredbo Hall from 8am
Cooma | Monday 26 January
7am Lions Breakfast at Cooma Car Club
10am Centennial Park, Cooma
Live music with Jay Podger, family activities, food and community stalls, displays with emergency services, heritage cars and mini train rides.
12pm Citizenship and Awards ceremony
Attended by ambassador Mr George Ellis, Conductor, Composer & Musical Arranger
Jindabyne | Monday 26 January
Location: John Connors Oval, Jindabyne
9.30am Award celebrations and community picnic day
Attended by ambassador Mr George Ellis, Conductor, Composer anf Musical Arranger
Afternoon: Bush pigs game (details tbc)
Michelago | Monday 26 January
Australia Day BBQ at Clive Kelly Oval, Michelago from 12pm
Bring your tennis racquets for 'hits & giggles' and your cricket bats for 'slashes & slogs'.
Nimmitabel | Monday 26 January
Location: Lake Williams, Nimmitabel
8.30am: Nimmitabel Lions Club BBQ
9.15am: Nimmitabel Advancement Group Official Ceremonies
Nimmitabel Advancement Group’s “Community Service Award”
Special guests introductions, announcement and presentations celebration games.