Gunnedah Shire is celebrating its outstanding volunteers and achievers at their 2026 Australia Day Awards presentation was held under the gums at Anzac Park on Monday and the winners received their awards from the Shire’s Ambassador Anthony Snape.
Gunnedah Shire Council’s Australia Day Working Group Chair Cr Rob Hooke said the awards were well-deserved and highlighted the significant contributions of community members.
“A well-regarded mentor, Michael is always willing to share his knowledge and experience, enhancing our Shire and creating a lasting legacy.
“Our Young Citizen of the Year, Steven Hopwood, is an excellent role model, both serving and supporting our community as a Youth Ambassador for Meals on Wheels, volunteering for Gunnedah Junior Rugby League and acting as a Group 4 referee.
“Steven is also a gifted and passionate performer and has received numerous awards in arts and music. His leadership skills, enthusiasm and willingness to get involved in the Shire make him an inspiring role model and valuable member of the Gunnedah community.”
Cr Hooke said Sports Person of the Year Lachlan Finnerty was excelling in tennis, recently representing the region in the state Champion of Champions competition, and attending a prestigious national training camp in Melbourne.
“The Multicultural Women’s Association (MWA) is another worthy winner, claiming the Community and Cultural Achievement Award once again for promoting cultural diversity, building community connection and supporting inclusive integration,” he said.
“A huge congratulations to all our 2026 award winners, and award nominees.”
Citizen of the Year (21 and over) – Michael Broekman
Michael has made an outstanding contribution and left a lasting positive mark on the Gunnedah community. As Managing Director of Namoi Valley Bricks, he has continued a five-generation family legacy that provided long-term local employment and delivered quality traditional bricks across Australia. Through his business leadership, community engagement and unwavering support for local initiatives, he has contributed significantly to the prosperity and character of Gunnedah.
Michael has shown immense leadership through significant industry challenges and has consistently supported local organisations through sponsorship, service and volunteering his time. He is recognised as a valued mentor, always willing to share his knowledge and create value for Gunnedah.
Young Citizen of the Year (20 and under) – Stephen Hopwood
Steven Hopwood is a young leader whose commitment to community and service sets him apart. As a Youth Ambassador for Meals on Wheels, he supports fundraising and community events. Steven is a gifted performer, regularly showcasing his talents at local, regional and national events for which he has received numerous arts and music awards. He has also won a prize with his contribution to the 2025 Arts Gunnedah Annual Exhibition.
Steven is actively involved in sport, volunteering for Gunnedah Junior Rugby League, and is qualified as a Group 4 referee. His generosity, leadership, volunteer work and passion make him an inspiring role model and valuable member of the Gunnedah community.
Sports Person of the Year – Lachlan Finnerty
At just 10-years-old, Lachlan Finnerty has already achieved exceptional results as a locally trained tennis player. Last year, he was selected for the under-10s state squad, requiring weekly training sessions at Sydney Olympic Park. In July, he won the under-10s singles and mixed doubles at the NSW Country Championships and in September, he won the Gunnedah Tennis Club championships; the youngest player to ever win.
Lachlan represented our region in the Northern NSW Champion of Champions in October and was a finalist in the state event. He has also been selected to attend a prestigious national training camp in Melbourne, held during the Australian Open.
Community and Cultural Achievement – Multicultural Women’s Association
The volunteer-driven Multicultural Women’s Association (MWA) has made a significant contribution to promoting cultural diversity, building community connection and supporting inclusive integration over its first five years.
Through the establishment of a multicultural playgroup, the MWA has been able to deliver multilingual storytelling, cultural music, dance and cooking classes to more than 100 participants. They have also played a key role in supporting both new and established migrants through lessons on Australian systems, rules and culture. The annual Multicultural Festival attracts crowds from Gunnedah and afar, showcasing diverse cultural performances and giving the community an opportunity to experience a variety of international cuisines.
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