Bourke Council finalises 2026 Australia Day Awards process

At Bourke’s Australia Day celebrations earlier this year, Lisa Rankmore, pictured with Australia Day Ambassador Khushaal Vyas, was named Bourke’s Citizen of the Year. Nominations for next year’s awards are open from November 5th to December 5th. Photo TWH

Bourke Shire Council has confirmed it will maintain its existing categories and processes for the 2026 Australia Day Awards, following consultation with neighbouring councils and discussions among councillors.

General Manager Leonie Brown said the council surveyed eleven other shires, including Brewarrina, Walgett and Cobar, to understand how their awards were managed.

“I surveyed the shires at Western Alliance councils,” she said. “I had fantastic feedback, it was great that they all responded.”

The results of that survey were presented at a councillor workshop on October 13th, where all councillors and key staff took part in discussions about the format of the annual awards.

“The council determined that they would maintain the current situation, the current practice of how they complete the Australia Day Awards,” Mrs Brown said. […]

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