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.
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.”
Moira Shire Australia Day award winners 2026
Cobram:
Citizen of the Year: Elaine Cartwright
Young Citizen: Taylar Knight
Junior Citizen: Abbie Milne
Community Event: Melbourne Lexus Cup Tour — Cobram Lions Club
Community Organisation: Cobram SES
Nathalia:
Citizen of the Year: Colin and Gail Grinter (joint award)
Community Event: Kaarimba Public Hall 125th Anniversary and Nathalia Agricultural Show Society
Community Organisation: Kaarimba Public Hall Committee
Arts/Culture/Environment Project: Kaarimba Public Hall
Numurkah:
Citizen of the Year: John Decker, Jenny Cossens (dual winners)
Community Event: Numurkah and District Historical Society 150th Year Anniversary
Community Organisation: Women of the Murray
Arts/Culture/Environment Project: Numurkah and District Historical Society Tungamah/St James
Citizen of the Year: Pamela O’Dwyer, Dianne Sampson (dual winners)
Community Event: Tungamah 150th Year Anniversary Event Yarrawonga
Citizen of the Year: Amanda Wheaton
Young Citizen: Dimity Connell
Junior Citizen: Charlie Whinray
Community Event: Yarrawonga Mulwala Business and Tourism - Powerboat Spectacular Event
Community Organisation: Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association