Celebrating Community Excellence: 2026 Cowra Australia Day Awards

Published on 08 January 2026

Celebrating Community Excellence: 2026 Cowra Australia Day Awards Nominees Announced

Cowra ShireCouncil is proud to announce the nominees for the 2026 Cowra Australia Day Awards, recognising individuals and groups who make an outstanding contribution to the Cowra community.

Mayor Cr Paul Smith said the calibre of nominees once again highlights the strength, generosity and diversity of Cowra Shire’s people.

“Each year we are reminded just how fortunate we are to live in a community filled with people who give their time, skills and hearts to others,” Cr Smith said.

“The 2026 nominees represent leadership, compassion, creativity and service across all ages and interests. The judging panel will certainly have a difficult task selecting the recipients, and I congratulate every nominee on this well-deserved recognition.”

The awards are judged by a panel representing Cowra Youth Council, Cowra Lions Club, Cowra CWA Evening Branch, Cowra Rotary, Cowra Business Chamber and the Cowra Australia Day Committee.

Award recipients will be announced at Cowra’s Australia Day celebrations on Monday, 26 January 2026.

2026 Cowra Australia Day Awards Nominees

(Full biographies attached)

Cowra Young Citizen of the Year

Cohan Howden

Adam Thain

Cowra Citizen of the Year

Mary Apps

Alan “Butch” Barlow

Jane Doolan

Jenny Friend

Christa Hundy

Christine Murphy

Danielle Spence

Samantha Sculthorpe

Cowra Community Group of the Year

Cowra Driver Reviver

Dr Warren Whiley Memorial Award for Arts and Culture

Graham Apthorpe

Cowra Shire Council thanks everyone who took the time to nominate individuals and groups and acknowledges the extraordinary contributions made by all nominees to the Cowra community.

For further information about the Australia Day celebrations or the awards program, please visit our website: cowracouncil.com.au/Community/Australia-Day-in-Cowra.

Ends

Read the Nominee Biographies(PDF, 73KB)