09-09-2026
Nominations for the Upper Lachlan Shire Australia Day Awards 2027 will be open from Wednesday, 9 September 2026, giving residents the opportunity to recognise the outstanding people, achievements and events that help make the Shire tick.
Residents are encouraged to start thinking now about someone in their community who deserves to be recognised.
The Australia Day Awards provide an opportunity to shine a light on the people who give their time, energy and commitment to the Upper Lachlan community. From dedicated volunteers and community leaders to talented young people, sporting achievers and those who organise events that bring people together, the awards celebrate the many different ways people contribute to the Shire.
A new Agriculture Award will be introduced for the 2027 Australia Day Awards, recognising the vital contribution of the agricultural sector to the Upper Lachlan Shire.
Farming has long been at the heart of the region’s economy, identity and way of life. The new category provides an opportunity to acknowledge farmers and agricultural operators who demonstrate outstanding achievement, innovation, dedication or contribution to the local community and the wider agricultural industry.
The addition of the category follows a proposal to recognise farming through the Australia Day Awards, with Council noting that agriculture is a significant enterprise in the Upper Lachlan and that farming is central to the region’s rural communities, towns and villages.
The Agriculture Award could recognise an individual or agricultural enterprise that has made an exceptional contribution through areas such as innovation, sustainable practices, leadership, mentoring, community involvement, agricultural achievement or support for the next generation of farmers.
The Australia Day Awards are an opportunity for the community to say thank you to people who make a difference.
Previous Upper Lachlan awards have recognised outstanding contributions across citizenship, youth, sport and community events. Council’s website has all information including guidelines and application forms for the categories.
Importantly, nominees do not have to be well-known. Often, the people most deserving of recognition are those quietly working behind the scenes, volunteering at a local organisation, supporting neighbours, helping young people, contributing to local sport, strengthening community connections or simply stepping up when their community needs them.
Mayor Culhane said “Perhaps it is a volunteer who is always the first to lend a hand. A young person making an impact in their community. A sporting achiever who has represented the Shire with pride or an event that brought people together, this should be celebrated, and anAustralia Day 2027 Award nomination is a great way to show appreciation.
I am also pleased to see the new agricultural category included this year; it will be the first time Upper Lachlan have included the award for someone who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and commitment to the agricultural community.”
Put their name forward and give them the recognition they deserve.
Key dates
- Nominations open: Wednesday, 9 September 2026
- Nominations close: Wednesday, 4 November 2026
Australia Day Award recipients will be announced as part of the events held on Tuesday, 26 January 2027
The 2027 awards will provide another opportunity for the Upper Lachlan community to come together and celebrate the people whose contribution, dedication and achievements help shape the future of the Shire.
Whether their contribution happens on a farm, sporting field, community hall, workplace, school or somewhere behind the scenes, Australia Day is an opportunity to recognise the people who make a difference.
Categories available to nominate are:
- Citizen of the year
- Young Citizen of the year
- Sportsperson of the Year
- Young sportsperson of the year
- Agricultural Person of the Year
- Event of the year (1 October 2025 – 30 September 2026)
All information and nomination guidelines are available above or by calling Council offices on 02 4830 1000.