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Moira Shire honours unsung heroes with Australia Day awards

By Abby Green

Jan 27, 2026

Taylar Knight of Cobram received the Young Citizen of the Year award. Photo by Supplied

The community spirit and tireless hard work of volunteers, stalwarts and heroes across Moira Shire was celebrated at the annual Australia Day Awards on January 26.

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Held as part of local town events on Australia Day, the awards recognise people of all ages who go above and beyond to support and improve their communities.

The awards also recognise significant community events, which this year includes anniversary celebrations for three towns or districts during 2025.

The Cobram community event of the year for 2025 was the Melbourne Lexus Cup Tour organised by the Cobram Lions Club. Photo by Supplied

Moira Shire Council chair administrator Graeme Emonson said these awards recognised the unsung heroes of our communities.

“They’re the backbone of our towns and districts, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make their communities a better place to live,” Dr Emonson said.

“These people and projects reflect the strength and community spirit of Moira Shire.”

Rotary Club of Cobram member and co-emcee of the event Ellie Stephens said the awards ceremony went very well, with more than 200 people attending the event.

“At the end, we had a little bit of a surprise with the pipe band performing AC/DC’s It's a long way to the top, with Nicky Goldsworthy as the vocalist,” Ms Stephens said.

“It was absolutely fabulous.

“We had 12 amazing nominees and five Citizen of the Year nominees, all of which were deserving to be up there on that stage receiving an award.

“It was a wonderful time in the face of the fires.

“It was actually good to recognise the wonderful Australian spirit that came out of that, the mateship, the compassion, the generosity of spirit, everybody banding together to help each other.”