Community & Business
28 January, 2026
Appreciation for Australia Day
Australia Day ceremony at Allora
The mercury might have been rising all around the nation as Australia Day 2026 unfolded and in the homely town of Allora, on the outskirts of the Southern Downs, it was a warm welcome that greeted attendees of local council's citizenship and awards ceremony.
Mayor of the Southern Downs, Cr Melissa Hamilton began by acknowledging the Githabul people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which more than 300 people had gathered in the Allora Town Hall.
The Mayor welcomed all present including Member for Maranoa and Leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, the Australia Day Ambassador, Emeritus Professor Ken Donald AO, accompanied by his wife Ann Donald, Deputy Mayor Sheryl Windle and local Councillors Sarah Deane, Joel Richters, Morwenna Harslett, and Cynthia McDonald.
Following the citizenship ceremony of 23 conferees, the Southern Downs Citizen of the Year for 2026 was awarded to Nerissa Shepherd, the Young Citizen of the Year was named as James Henry, the recipient of the Cultural Citizen of the Year was accepted by Maria De Vries, while the Community Event of the Year was awarded to the Allora and District Historical Society Inc. In the sporting arena, the Sportsperson or Sports Administrator of the Year was presented to Gregory (Greg) Ryan. There was a Highly Commended honour given to Michelle Feenan, to recognise her nomination for Citizen of the Year.
Also recognised for nominations were Andrew Freebody, Barbara Bowyer, Carolyn Vardy, Dr Leith Geisel, Jennifer Rauchle, Neil Burtenshaw, Robert Reid, Rodney Kelly, Sarah Puglisi and Kelvin Johnston.
There were apologies received from State Member for Southern Downs, James Lister, and local Councillors Carla Pidgeon, Ross Bartley and Russell Wantling.
Meantime on a national scale, space engineer Katherine Bennell-Pegg was named Australian of the Year for 2026, an Adelaide resident who graduated from a European Space Agency astronaut program in 2024, giving young people especially much to aspire to.
"As a kid, I used to lie on the dry grass in my backyard and gaze up at the stars in awe," she said as she accepted the award. "That imperative to look to the sky and wonder, to innovate and explore is an ancient one on this continent."
Ms Bennell-Pegg paid tribute to the the victims of the Bondi shooting in her various times behind a microphone, saying, "We remember the victims of the Bondi attack and I honour those whose courage shone in the darkest moments."
More next week on award-winners from Tenterfield too.
Read More: Allora
