Nominations are open across the New England for 2027 Australia Day honours, with Armidale, Guyra, Tamworth, Manilla, Barraba and Nundle all calling on residents to recognise the community’s quiet achievers.
Armidale Regional Council and Tamworth Regional Council have both opened nominations this week, seeking out the people and groups who give their time, energy and passion to make life better for others, from long-serving volunteers to young people and community groups making a difference across education, health, sport, the arts, the environment and community service.
Armidale and Guyra’s award categories include Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen/Elder of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Service Award, Art, Drama or Music Award, Environmental Citizen of the Year, Sports Person of the Year, and Community Group/Event of the Year.
Deputy Mayor Todd Redwood said the awards provide an important opportunity to celebrate the people who help make the Armidale region a great place to live.
“These awards are about recognising the people who work quietly behind the scenes to strengthen our communities and enrich the lives of those around them.”
“Whether it’s a volunteer who gives countless hours to a local organisation, a young person making a positive impact, or a community group delivering remarkable outcomes, this is their chance to be acknowledged and celebrated,” Deputy Mayor Redwood said.
Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb had a similar message for residents further south, where ceremonies will be held in Tamworth, Manilla, Barraba and Nundle on 26 January 2027.
“We all know someone who is working tirelessly for their community and deserves recognition.”
“While these people don’t volunteer their time for the accolades, they deserve every bit of praise they get. This is a chance to say thank you,” Mayor Webb said.
Tamworth’s categories carry over unchanged for Barraba and Tamworth this year. Nundle has reintroduced its Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year awards in place of its Community Recognition Award, while Manilla has dropped its Achiever of the Year award for 2026. The changes follow community consultation aimed at aligning the region’s ceremonies more closely with the National Australia Day Council.
Back in Armidale, Deputy Mayor Redwood said the process was as much about people spotting the effort in others as it was about the awards themselves.
“We are fortunate to have so many dedicated and passionate people contributing to our region every day. If someone comes to mind when you think about commitment, generosity and community spirit, I encourage you to nominate them.”
“A nomination is a simple but meaningful way to thank someone for the contribution they make and to ensure their efforts are recognised by the wider community,” he said.
Nominations for the Armidale and Guyra awards, and for the Tamworth region awards, can be made through each council’s website.
Other councils across the region are expected to open their own Australia Day Award nominations in the coming weeks. Residents keen to nominate a local hero should check their own council’s website for details.
Social: From Armidale to Nundle, nominations are open for 2027 Australia Day honours. Know a quiet achiever? Now’s the time to say thanks.
Tags: Todd Redwood, Russell Webb, Armidale Regional Council, Tamworth Regional Council
Nominate your Australia Day heroes
Nominations are open across the New England for 2027 Australia Day honours, with Armidale, Guyra, Tamworth, Manilla, Barraba and Nundle all calling on residents to recognise the community’s quiet achievers.
Armidale Regional Council and Tamworth Regional Council have both opened nominations this week, seeking out the people and groups who give their time, energy and passion to make life better for others, from long-serving volunteers to young people and community groups making a difference across education, health, sport, the arts, the environment and community service.
Armidale and Guyra’s award categories include Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen/Elder of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Service Award, Art, Drama or Music Award, Environmental Citizen of the Year, Sports Person of the Year, and Community Group/Event of the Year.
Deputy Mayor Todd Redwood said the awards provide an important opportunity to celebrate the people who help make the Armidale region a great place to live.
“These awards are about recognising the people who work quietly behind the scenes to strengthen our communities and enrich the lives of those around them.”
“Whether it’s a volunteer who gives countless hours to a local organisation, a young person making a positive impact, or a community group delivering remarkable outcomes, this is their chance to be acknowledged and celebrated,” Deputy Mayor Redwood said.
Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb had a similar message for residents further south, where ceremonies will be held in Tamworth, Manilla, Barraba and Nundle on 26 January 2027.
“We all know someone who is working tirelessly for their community and deserves recognition.”
“While these people don’t volunteer their time for the accolades, they deserve every bit of praise they get. This is a chance to say thank you,” Mayor Webb said.
Tamworth’s categories carry over unchanged for Barraba and Tamworth this year. Nundle has reintroduced its Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year awards in place of its Community Recognition Award, while Manilla has dropped its Achiever of the Year award for 2026. The changes follow community consultation aimed at aligning the region’s ceremonies more closely with the National Australia Day Council.
Back in Armidale, Deputy Mayor Redwood said the process was as much about people spotting the effort in others as it was about the awards themselves.
“We are fortunate to have so many dedicated and passionate people contributing to our region every day. If someone comes to mind when you think about commitment, generosity and community spirit, I encourage you to nominate them.”
“A nomination is a simple but meaningful way to thank someone for the contribution they make and to ensure their efforts are recognised by the wider community,” he said.
Nominations for the Armidale and Guyra awards, and for the Tamworth region awards, can be made through each council’s website.
Other councils across the region are expected to open their own Australia Day Award nominations in the coming weeks. Residents keen to nominate a local hero should check their own council’s website for details.
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