Nominations are now open for the 2027 Australia Day Awards across our listening area, giving residents the opportunity to recognise the individuals, volunteers, sporting achievers, community groups and organisations that make a difference in their communities.

Each year, local councils recognise the outstanding contributions of people who go above and beyond, whether through years of community service, sporting success, volunteer work or organising events that bring people together.

Outback Radio 2WEB has brought together nomination details from councils across our broadcast region in one convenient location.

This article will be updated as further councils announce their 2027 Australia Day Awards nomination details.

2027 Australia Day Awards – Nomination Closing Dates

CouncilClosing date
Balonne ShireMonday 2 November 2026 – 9am
Coonamble ShireMonday 9 November 2026 – 5pm
Brewarrina ShireMonday 30 November 2026
Central Darling ShireMonday 30 November 2026 – 4pm
Bourke ShireFriday 4 December 2026 – 4:30pm
Warren ShireThursday 10 December 2026
Bogan ShireFriday 11 December 2026
Cobar ShireFriday 8 January 2027
Walgett ShireDetails coming soon

Balonne Shire Council

Nominations close Monday 2 November 2026 at 9am.

Balonne Shire Council is encouraging residents to recognise the individuals and community groups whose achievements, leadership and volunteer contributions make a positive difference across the shire.

Award categories:

  • Citizen of the Year
  • Young Citizen of the Year
  • Volunteer of the Year
  • Cultural Award
  • Senior Sports Award
  • Junior Sports Award
  • Sports Administrator Award
  • Community Group
  • Community Event

Nominate online: 2027 Balonne Shire Australia Day Awards Online Form

Download form: 2027 Nomination Form (PDF)

The awards will be presented during Australia Day celebrations in Dirranbandi on Tuesday 26 January 2027.

Further information, including eligibility and judging criteria, is available from Balonne Shire Council.

Coonamble Shire Council

Nominations close Monday 9 November 2026 at 5pm.

Coonamble Shire Council is inviting nominations recognising outstanding contributions and achievements during 2026.

Awards are presented as part of Australia Day celebrations in Coonamble and Gulargambone.

Coonamble award categories:

  • Citizen of the Year
  • Young Citizen of the Year
  • Community Group of the Year
  • Sportsperson of the Year
  • Junior Sportsperson of the Year

Nominations require details of the nominee’s contribution and contact information for another person who can support the nomination.

Nominate online: Coonamble Australia Day Awards Nomination Form

Hard-copy forms are available at Council’s administration offices, libraries in Coonamble and Gulargambone, and the Quambone Store.

Gulargambone celebrations: Australia Day activities at Lions Park include a cooked breakfast from 8am, with the official ceremony commencing at 9am, followed by community activities.

The published 2027 nomination deadline is 9 November. Separate closing arrangements for Gulargambone have not yet been confirmed.

Brewarrina Shire Council

Nominations close Monday 30 November 2026.

Brewarrina Shire Council is calling for nominations recognising the achievements, leadership and community spirit of individuals, groups and events across Brewarrina, Goodooga, Weilmoringle, Gongolgon and Angledool.

Award categories:

  • Citizen of the Year
  • Young Citizen of the Year
  • Sportsperson of the Year
  • Young Sportsperson of the Year
  • Australia Day Award
  • Community Event of the Year

Mayor Tom Stanton has encouraged residents to recognise those who demonstrate outstanding dedication, service and achievement throughout the shire.

Nominate online: Brewarrina Australia Day Awards Online Nomination

Download form: 2027 Nomination Form (PDF)

Completed forms can be emailed to doreenm@brewarrina.nsw.gov.au, delivered to Council at 57 Bathurst Street, Brewarrina, or posted to PO Box 125, Brewarrina NSW 2839. Submitted forms must be marked Confidential.

Winners will be announced at the Australia Day ceremony at the Brewarrina Memorial Pool on 26 January 2027.

Central Darling Shire Council

Nominations close Monday 30 November 2026 at 4pm.

Central Darling Shire Council is calling for nominations for its Community Service Awards, recognising individuals, volunteers and community events that have made an outstanding contribution across the shire.

The awards celebrate the people and organisations whose efforts have made a positive difference to their communities, often without expecting recognition.

Award categories:

  • Citizen of the Year
  • Young Citizen of the Year
  • Service to the Community
  • Outstanding Local Event of 2026

Council is encouraging residents to nominate those who deserve recognition for their dedication and community spirit.

Nominate online: Central Darling Shire Community Service Awards – Nomination Information

Late nominations will not be accepted.

Bourke Shire Council

Nominations close Friday 4 December 2026 at 4:30pm.

Bourke Shire Council is inviting nominations recognising outstanding voluntary contributions to the community, either during 2026 or over a number of years.

Award categories:

  • Citizen of the Year
  • Junior Citizen of the Year
  • Sportsperson of the Year
  • Junior Sportsperson of the Year
  • Volunteer of the Year
  • Village Service Award
  • Community Event of the Year

Nominees must meet Council’s eligibility requirements, including residency within the Bourke Shire Local Government Area. Self-nominations are not accepted.

Download form

Completed nominations can be delivered to Bourke Shire Council in Mitchell Street or posted to PO Box 21, Bourke NSW 2840, marked Confidential – Australia Day Awards.

For enquiries, contact Council on (02) 6830 8000 or email bourkeshire@bourke.nsw.gov.au.

Awards will be announced on Australia Day, 26 January 2027.

Warren Shire Council

Nominations close Thursday 10 December 2026.

Warren Shire Council accepts Australia Day Award nominations throughout the year, recognising outstanding community achievements and contributions.

Award categories:

  • Citizen of the Year
  • Young Citizen of the Year
  • Community Service
  • Sportsperson or Sporting Organisation of the Year
  • Young Sportsperson or Sporting Organisation of the Year
  • Community Event of the Year
  • Young Achiever of the Year
  • Business House of the Year

Download form: 2027 Warren Shire Nomination Form and Criteria (PDF)

Completed forms can be emailed to council@warren.nsw.gov.au, posted to PO Box 6, Warren NSW 2824, or delivered to Warren Shire Council at 115 Dubbo Street, Warren.

Bogan Shire Council

Nominations close Friday 11 December 2026.

Bogan Shire Council is encouraging residents to nominate their local heroes and outstanding community events for the 2027 Australia Day Awards.

Nominations are open to recognise individuals and community contributions deserving of acknowledgement.

Nominate online: Bogan Shire Australia Day Awards Nomination Form

Nomination forms are also available from the Bogan Shire Library and Council’s front desk.

Cobar Shire Council

Nominations close Friday 8 January 2027.

Cobar Shire Council is inviting nominations for its 2027 Australia Day Awards, recognising outstanding achievements and contributions throughout the shire.

Nominations must be submitted using the official Council form, with supporting documents and details of achievements able to be included.

Individuals and organisations can submit nominations, with award recipients selected by an Australia Day Awards Committee.

Download form: 2027 Cobar Shire Australia Day Awards Nomination Form (PDF)

Electronic nominations are accepted.

Printed forms are available from the Cobar Shire Council Administration Building, Cobar Shire Library, Nymagee and Euabalong libraries, and Cobar Visitor Information Centre.

For nomination enquiries, email visitcobar@cobar.nsw.gov.au.

Awards will be presented during Australia Day celebrations at the Cobar Memorial Swimming Pool on Tuesday 26 January 2027.

Walgett Shire Council

2027 nomination details to be announced.

Walgett Shire Council is expected to release information about its 2027 Australia Day Awards shortly.

Nomination categories, closing dates and application details will be added to this article once they become available.

Help Recognise Someone Who Makes A Difference

Across our region, countless people quietly contribute their time and energy to local sporting clubs, emergency services, community organisations, schools, charities and community events.

Many do so without expecting recognition.

The Australia Day Awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge those efforts and celebrate the people who help keep our communities strong.

Know someone who deserves recognition? Check your local council’s nomination details above and put their name forward.

Outback Radio 2WEB will continue updating this article as further councils across Western NSW and South West Queensland release their 2027 Australia Day Awards information.