Australia Day Awards

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The Rural City of Wangaratta's Australia Day Awards celebrate the achievements and contributions of individuals and community groups in our region.

These prestigious awards are one of the highest honours a Council can bestow to publicly acknowledge local heroes, whose dedication and contributions may otherwise go unnoticed.

Award recipients are honoured at the annual Australia Day celebrations in King George Gardens, Wangaratta.

In addition to receiving their award, the Citizen of the Year will have their handprint carved into the Marmungan Rock in Apex Park—a lasting tribute to outstanding individuals in our community.

Nominations typically open each year during July/August.

Award Categories Include

  • Citizen of the Year
  • Young Citizen of the Year (Under 25)
  • Community Event/Project of the Year

 

2026 Australia Day Award Recipients

  • Citizen of the Year: Bevan Tremellen - A dedicated community leader who has revitalised the Wangaratta Woodworkers Inc into an inclusive, supportive hub for all. 
  • Young Citizen of the Year: Edward (Ed) Browne - A dedicated young leader whose contributions span education, arts, sport, volunteering, and community advocacy. 
  • Community Event/Project of the Year: North East Multicultural Association - Who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in strengthening community safety and inclusion for culturally and linguistically diver communities across Northeast Victoria. Providing multilingual preparedness resources in nine languages partnered with Emergency Recovery Victoria, and translated emergency updates via YouTube with the Burnet Institute.

 

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Australia Day Award Winners (L-R) Young Citizen of the Year, Edward Browne, Citizen of the Year, Bevan Tremellen, Project of the Year, North East Multicultural Association’s Ian Prentice, Rob Chatfield and Faryal Khan

2025 Award Recipients

  • Citizen of the Year: Wendy and Peter Lester - for their long-standing service to sporting, cultural and support organisations across the municipality.
  • Young Citizen of the Year: Felicity Camplin - for her inspiring volunteer work locally and abroad, including coaching youth sports, supporting charities,
  • Community Event/Project of the Year: Thread Together - for their organisation providing brand-new clothing to vulnerable members of our community, allowing guests to select items at no cost in a welcoming store environment.

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L-R: Wendy Lester, Peter Lester, Felicity Camplin, and Aaron Wardle and Bruce Neilson from Thread Together. 

 


  
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