Australia Day in Griffith

Griffith City Council's Australia Day Awards

Each year residents within the Griffith City Council Local Government Area are invited to nominate fellow citizens for the Australia Day Awards. The aim of the awards is to recognise outstanding contributions to the local community each year and/or contribution to the local community over a number of years.

Congratulations to our 2026 Australia Day Award winners:

Citizen of the Year

Patricia (Pat) Cox - A former Councillor, Pat was recognised for her lifelong dedication as a community volunteer.
Over many years, Pat has contributed to a wide range of local organisations including U3A, the Griffith War Memorial Museum, Western Riverina Community College, Pioneer Park Museum, Griffith Base Hospital Auxiliary, CWA, Meals on Wheels, the Disability Inclusion Access Committee and the Griffith Drug Action Team. Congratulations Pat, thank you for your extraordinary service.

Local hero
Jodie Millar - This year’s Local Hero award (chosen by the Mayor) went to Jodie Millar,
who swam the length of the English Channel on Thursday 17 July 2025 to raise funds for the
Starlight Foundation, which supports children in hospital. Jodie has participated in Starlight Super Swim
challenges since 2020, raising over $30k for Starlight. Her efforts help Starlight replace pain, fear and stress
with fun, joy and laughter, an inspiring achievement. Congratulations Jodie!

Young Citizen of the Year

Benjamin Savage

Environmental Citizen of the Year

Stephen Violi

Community Project of the Year

Griffith Trauma Teddy Knitters Club

Sportsperson of the Year

Jodie Millar

Junior Sportsperson of the Year

Havana Cook

Sports Team of the Year

Griffith Demons U14 Boys Basketball Team

Club Person of the Year

Neil Macklin - Leagues Squash

618135577_1305925431580778_8386530811207194413_n.jpg

Australia Day Splash Pool Party

Everyone is invited to celebrate Australia Day with Griffith City Council at the Pool!
When: 11am-4pm Monday 26th January 2026
Where: Griffith Regional Aquatic & Leisure Centre
Whats on:
- Free Pool Entry
- Free BBQ
- Free Icecream
- Watercolour Workshop: Australian Natives for Beginners with Karly Sivewright - Book your free spot here (limited spaces available).
- DJ Sutton
- Kids craft

Australia Day Ceremony

Winners of the Australia Day Awards are announced at Australia Day Ceremony on 26 January each year.
When: 10:30am Monday 26th January 2026.
Where: Griffith Regional Theatre

Citizenship Ceremony

New Australian citizens will be welcomed during the morning ceremony at Griffith Regional Theatre.
When: 8:30am Monday 26th January 2026
Where: Griffith Regional Theatre
New citizens are welcome to invite their friends and family to attend but we kindly ask that you let Council know how many guests will be attending.

Australia Day Colouring-In Competition

The Australia Day Colouring-in Competition is back this year.

Winners will be chosen from each category, who will receive a gift voucher from Collins Booksellers, Griffith.

Printed colouring sheets can be collected from Griffith City Library, or downloaded and printed from the links below.

Completed forms to be submitted at Griffith City Library by 4pm 21 January 2026.

1-4 Years(PDF, 2MB)

5-8 Years(PDF, 2MB)

9-12 Years (PDF, 2MB)

Previous Australia Day Award Winners

Citizen of the Year

1981	Charlie Beltrame
1982	Maria Pascoli
1983	Gary Bell
1984	Dorothy Waide
1985	Natalina Murray
1986	Anthea Wren
1987	Joan Barber
1988	Helen Alderman
1989	Amerigo Bulzomi
1990	Roy Stacy
1991	Father Raffaele Beltrame
1992	John Dal Broi
1994	Stuart & Margaret McWilliam
1995	Dawn Beaumont-Stevens
1996	Domenico Sergi
1997	Nino & Elese Gatto
1998	John Knox
1999	Bob Peters
2000	Babs Donaldson
2001	Jan Newman
2002	Dr Nagaratnam Naganathan
2003	Les & Moreen Corner
2004	Norm Murphy
2005	Val Rowe
2006	John & Lina Soncin
2007	Jane and Jamie Gibbs
2008	Neville Dwyer
2009	Bill Calabria
2010	Dot Reddacliff
2011	Pat & Ross Corner
2012	Olga Forner
2013	Michael Sheehan
2014	Michelle Bordignon
2015	Sheila Brady
2016	Giovanni (John) Casella
2017	Ross Catanzariti
2018	Dr Peter Calaizis
2019	Margaret Moore
2020	Robert Cappello
2021	Stephen Mortlock
2022	Sister Patricia Johnson
2023	Pat Sergi
2024	Dr. Narayanan Jayachandran

Young Citizen of the Year

1982	Marlene Scriven
1983	Maryanne Norbiato
1984	David Salvestrin
1985	Jody Frank
1986	David Murray
1987	Jennifer Thompson
1988	Angie Guardala
1989	Michael Murray
1990	Jackie Hallan
1991	Nicole Easey Cydonee Marden Brian Roberts
1992	Dimity Parr
1993	Kylie Moses
1994	Kylie Wynne
1995	Paula Maree Johns
1996	Michelle Tagliapietra
1997	Hannah Lee Alexander
1998	Craig Smellie
1999	Vanessa Richard
2000	Aaron Suine
2001	Jacob Allinson
2002	Sailosi Francis
2003	Jasmine Blumer
2004	Keira McGrath
2005	Andrew Dance
2006	Maydina Penrith
2007	Ngiaran Williams
2008	Ingrid Mita
2009	Alison Dance
2010	James Brown
2001	Cassandra Campbell-Smith
2012	Elise Delpiano
2013	-
2014	Sarah Davies
2015	Alexandra Cox
2016	Megan Beecher
2017	Danielle Collison
2018	N/A
2019	Andria Zanotto
2020	Sam Robinson
2021	Nayani Navaneethan
2022	Zavian Williams
2023	Not held
2024	Shirine Nehme

Junior Citizen of the Year

1981	Michael Neville
2000	Jy Millis
2001	Ben Yates
2002	Natasha Howard
2003	Keira McGrath
2004	Ethan Byrne
2005	Lane Sainty
2006	Alison Dance
2007	N/A
2008	Rachael Davis
2009	Elise Delpiano
2010	Matthew Gatto
2011	Luke Woodward
2012	N/A
2013	N/A
2014	Emily Adamson
2015	Claire Murray
2016	N/A
2017	Jade Earl
2018	N/A
2019	Johan Martinello
2020	Not held
2021	Not held
2022	Not held
2023	Madisyn Sarkis

Sportsperson of the Year

1981	John Bonetti
1982	Trevor Hornery
1983	David Jones
1984	Roy Binks
1985	Ian Counsell
1986	Bryan Usher
1987	Ted Scobie
1988	Bill Ross
1989	Elisabeth (Liz) Graham
1990	Charmaine Potter
1991	Dennis Duvey
1992	Rosemary Risso
1993	Bartie Brighenti
1994	Gary Gardiner
1995	Helen Roach
1996	Greg Best
1997	Griffith Aero Club
1998	Harry Moses
1999	Thomas (Skeet) Milne
2000	Ron Inglis
2001	Cheryl Hearn
2002	Trevor Richards
2003	Glen Castellaro
2004	Dom Calabria
2005	Garry Tucker
2006	Glenn Watkins
2007	Peter Davis
2008	Tracy Taylor
2009	Leticia Ferres
2010	Leeanne Palmer
2011	Rebecca Savige
2012	Bart Brighenti
2013	Lisa Hodder
2014	Steve McLean
2015	Carmella Naseby
2016	Peter Budd
2017	Dean Gorman
2018	Leticia Franchi
2019	Jennifer Masey
2020	Nil
2021	Nicole Taylor
2022	Blake Testoni
2023	Jack Evans
2024	Nicole Taylor

Overall Sportsperson of the Year

2011	Ashley DeMarco
2012	Sean Pianca
2013	Sean Pianca
2014	Eliza Amendolia
2015	Glen Castellaro
2016	Nathan Richards
2017	Trevor Ceccato
2018	Sharyn Millis
2019	Eliza Baddock
2020	Not held
2021	Nicole Taylor
2022	Jack Johns
2023	Timeeka Coleman

Young Sportsperson of the Year

1995	Domonic Giorgi
1996	Simon Bonetti
1997	Debbie Savage
1998	Cassandra Mitchell
1999	Belinda Battistel
2000	Doug Shea
2001	Belinda Battistel
2002	N/A
2003	Roslyn Simpson
2004	Mathew Staines
2005	Mathew Staines
2006	Mathew Staines
2007	Ashley DeMarco
2008	Jessica Stoll
2009	Michelle Connelly
2010	Thomas Zambon
2019	Abby Favell
2020	Ellie Matthews
2021	Nicole Taylor
2022	Jack Johns

Junior Sportsperson of the Year

2000	Belinda Battistel
2001	David Milne
2002	Joel Andriolo
2003	Sophia Palmer
2004	Renata Franco
2005	Beau Eade
2006	Damien Marsland
2007	N/A
2008	N/A
2009	N/A
2010	N/A
2011	Ashley DeMarco
2012	Sean Pianca
2013	Sean Pianca - Archery
2014	Eliza Ammendolia
2023	Timeeka Coleman
2024	Lahni Mogliotti

Senior Sports Team of the Year

2002	Griffith Blacks Rugby Union Team
2003	Yenda Blue Healers Rugby League Team
2004	Yenda Blue Healers Rugby League Team
2005	N/A
2006	Hanwood Soccer Team
2007	N/A
2008	Griffith Waratahs
2009	Yenda Blueheelers
2010	Team Riverina Kyokushin Karate

Sports Team of the Year

2011	Wade High School Gymnastics
2012	Wade High School Year 9-10 Touch Team
2013	GDFA Under 13’s Representative Soccer Side
2014	Under 13 Country Cup Soccer Team
2015	Griffith Golf Club Ladies Holden Scramble Team
2016	Hanwood Football Club u/12s Team
2017	Griffith u/15 Representative Netball
2018	Wade High School u/15 Relay Team
2019	Murrumbidgee Regional High School Under 16 Rugby Union Team Griffith North Public School Boys Basketball Griffith East Public School AFL Team
2020	Hanwood Football Club All Age Women's Team
2021	Sports Team of the Year - U12s Griffith Academy Football Club
2022	Murrumbidgee Regional High School - U14s Rugby League Team
2023	Murrumbidgee Regional High School 16s Rugby Union Team
2024	Tharbogang Public School 4x100 mixed relay

Young Sports Team of the Year

2002	Griffith Zone Bocce Federation Team
2003	Griffith High School 7/8 Touch Football Team

Junior Sports Team of the Year

2002	Griffith High School U/15 Rugby League Team
2003	Griffith U/17 Netball Team
2004	East Griffith Public School Cricket Team
2005	Wade High School U/13 Rugby League Team
2006	Wade High School Relay Team
2007	N/A
2008	Griffith Under 11s Soccer Team
2009	Griffith Under 12s Representative Boys Soccer Team
2010	Wade High School Girls Tennis Team

Club Person of the Year

2011	Adrian Serafin
2012	Eugenio La Riva
2013	Ken Cunningham
2014	Trevor Harrison
2015	Peter Budd
2016	Matt Curran and Mark Feltracco
2017	Gordon Brown
2018	Roy Binks
2019	Gail Colling
2020	Not held
2021	Not held
2022	Micheal Crosato
2023	Bernie Connolly
2024	Robyn Meehan

Community Project of the Year

2015	Care Alert - Lions Club of Griffith
2016	Stars of Griffith - Dance for Cancer
2017	Griffith's Biggest Lap
2018	Griffith Cenotaph
2019	Hampers of Hope
2020	Yenda Skate Park
2021	Griffith Curry and Jam
2022	Griffith Women on Fire
2023	Griffith It Takes 2 - Series 5
2024	Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service Chronic Care Team - Elders Portrait Exhibition

Community Event of the Year

1990	Nicodemus / Barbara Mackay
1991	Senior Citizens Centre
1992	Griffith Association of Greening Australia
1993	Griffith Classic Motorcycle Club
1994	Griffith Early Childhood Services Group
1995	The Victory Concert / Dawn &Dick Stevens
1996	Town & Community Public Hospital Meeting
1997	Fred Hollows Foundation Ball
1998	Biggest Morning Tea & Daffodil Day
1999	The Camp Quality Dinner
2000	Griffith Public School
2001	Lions Club, Griffith Phone Directory
2002	20:20 Vision
2003	Relay for Life
2004	Griffith Lions Club, donation of Walking Frames
2005	Dancing with our Stars
2006	Griffith Fesitval of Gardens - Citrus Sculptures
2007	Inaugural Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Debutante Ball
2008	Unveiling of the Donald McKay Statue
2009	Black Tie Gala Ball
2010	War Memorial Honour Roll
2011	La Festa Incorporated
2012	Griffith Multicultural Festival
2013	Griffith Veterans Golf Tournament
2014	Real Juice Citrus Sculptures

Environmental Citizen of the Year

2019	Hampers of Hope
2020	Hampers of Hope
2021	Hampers of Hope
2023	Ema Munro
2024	Lachlan Weymouth

Local Hero

2008	Olga Forner
2009	Tony Incoll
2012	Judy Sartor (Corradi)
2013	Ray Pangello
2014	Jenny Ellis
2016	Noel Hicks and Alan Smith
2017	Trevor Ceccato
2018	Roy Catanzariti
2019	Dale McCleary
2020	Michelle Bordignon
2021	John Dal Broi
2022	Carrah Lymer
2023	Sophie Bozic
2024	Michael Borg

Useful Links

Australia Day Council
Australia Day Council of NSW