2026 Australia Day Award Recipients
Coolamon Shire Council celebrated Australia Day with a community breakfast hosted by Advance Ganmain & the Angler’s Club. Plenty of community members and residents braved the heat to celebrate the 28 residents and five events that were nominated across the five award categories.
This year the Coolamon Shire Council are proud to welcome our 2026 Australia Day Ambassador Mr Ethan Butson. Ethan is a scientific innovator dedicated to improving lives through purposeful innovation. A finalist for the 2015 NSW Young Australian of the Year, he holds an Advanced Science degree and a Masters in Medical Physics from the University of Sydney and is now a certified Radiation Oncology Medical Physics Specialist, contributing to the fight against cancer. Alongside his scientific career, Ethan has demonstrated strong entrepreneurial and humanitarian leadership as a co-founder of Scilutions Pty Ltd and through his work with The Water Gift, delivering safe drinking water to under-served communities.
At this year’s official awards ceremony, Council celebrated the outstanding contributions of local citizens, presenting the 2026 Australia Day Awards “The entire day was a great opportunity to recognize the incredible people and events that make our community so special. These dedicated individuals truly make our Shire a fantastic place to call home,” said Mayor McCann OAM. “I want to thank and congratulate all those who were nominated, and recognise the category winners for the work they do”
Congratulations to the following Coolamon Shire locals who were nominated for an Australia Day award:
2026 Nominations
Citizen of the Year
Bill Pippen, Chris Berry, Guy Purcell, Jannese Bundy, Jed Lawton, Katie Francis, Kevin Popple, Mark Uhr, Phillip Bingham, Reckell Jones, Simone McAllister
Young Citizen of the Year
Aaron de Hann, Eva Lucas & Lawson Buchegger
Young Sportsperson of the Year Award
Aaliyah Coleman, Alexander Farrer, Allie Delaney, Bella Smith, Braith Gain, Emmerson Buchegger, Evie Bensch, Hayden Gardiner, Isabella Baulch, Lillyarna Clark
The Shane Till Memorial Award for Sporting Achievement
Alison Foley, Glenn Dyason, Jed Lawton, Rory Menzies
Community Event / Community Group of the Year
Ardlethan Art Prize, Ardlethan Lions Club, Coolamon Fire Engine Muster, Coolamon Touch Association, Matong Swap Meet
2026 Winners
Young Sportsperson of the Year Award – Braith Gain
Braith is a multi-talented sportsman achieving success across cricket, touch football and AFL, all while demonstrating maturity, discipline and a strong commitment to team culture. As captain of the Coolamon Central School Touch Team, he led his team to a gold medal at the NSW central schools’ finals where he was awarded player of the carnival. Braith also excelled in AFL, winning the league medal for u17’s leading goal kicker.
Shane Till Memorial Award for Sporting Achievement – Rory Menzies
Rory’s work at rejuvenating the Matong Sports Ground has been pivotal to the Matong community and to the Ganmain Cricket Club who were left without a home ground this cricket season. Not only has his leadership, determination and community spirit saved a cricket season, it has revived a small rural town.
Community Event of the Year Award – Coolamon Fire Engine Muster
The Coolamon Fire Engine Muster is a much-loved community event that brings large crowds to Coolamon every year. The Muster is a day of celebration, history and a tribute to all the emergency services. Chris & Jo Berry have dedicated their time, energy & passion into this year which has evolved over the past 10 years.
Community Group of the Year Award – Ardlethan Lions Club
The Ardlethan Lions Club plays a central role in coordinating major community events, including the annual Christmas Carols and markets. They also took responsibility for coordinating ANZAC Day & Remembrance Day Ceremonies. The Lions Club envisioned a memorial to honour the veterans who served our Nation and within two years of fundraising they were able to raise the $60,000 that was required. The statue was unveiled in Ardlethan on Remembrance Day in 2025.
Young Citizen of the Year Award – Eva Lucas
Eva is an outstanding and inspiring role model who was selected as a 2025 Womn-Kind National Youth Leader and announced as School Captain for Coolamon Central School in 2025. Eva volunteers her time leading SRC fundraising activities and mentoring primary aged students in dance practice. Eva exemplifies integrity, compassion and dedication to her school and community.
Coolamon Shire Council Citizen of the Year Award – Guy Purcell
Guy plays an integral role in almost every community organisation and event in Ganmain, always acting in the best interest of the town. Guy is a strong advocate for inclusion and wellbeing, working closely with the swimming pool to support youth activities and supporting mental health initiatives like MHERV and Blokes in the kitchen.
