Australia Day Award winners 2026 announced
Published on 26 January 2026
Today, the Gympie Region came together in Memorial Park to celebrate the 2026 Australia Day Awards, shining a spotlight on locals who go above and beyond for our community.
This year, Jenny Clune was recognised with the Citizen of the Year Award for her outstanding dedication and service to the community.
“On behalf of Gympie Regional Council, I congratulate Jenny for her remarkable commitment, which has played a significant role in making our region such a great place to live,”
Gympie Regional Council Mayor Glen Hartwig said. “Jenny’s tireless efforts have made a real difference across the region, inspiring others through her leadership, volunteer work, and community initiatives, including the Gympie Show and Gympie Muster, to name just a few.”
Alongside the Citizen of the Year, seven other exceptional individuals and groups were honoured:
- Young Citizen of the Year: Delara Mostofizadeh
- Junior Sports Award: Archer Zwoerner
- Senior Sports Award: Eli Richards
- Creative Award: Sharon Hogan
- Community Group Award: Gympie Woman in Business
- Community Organisation Award: Little Haven Palliative Care Inc.]
- Community Event Award: Gympie District Show Society
Mayor Hartwig also welcomed 45 new Australian citizens, who proudly took the pledge to call our beautiful country home.
“Congratulations to all our award recipients, nominees, and new citizens. Each of you has made a lasting impact in our community, and today we celebrate your dedication, achievements, and the difference you make,” Cr. Hartwig said.
Below are profiles of each winner.
Citizen of the Year Award – Jenny Clune
Jenny is a truly deserving recipient of the 2026 Citizen of the Year Award, recognised for her tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to the community. Over many years, she has contributed selflessly to a wide range of initiatives, from local markets, fundraising efforts, children’s events, and community programs, to grant projects that have strengthened the region. Her generosity and energy extend beyond Lower Wonga, supporting major events such as the Gympie Show and the Gympie Muster, and reaching anyone in need with warmth and care. Jenny’s impact is felt far and wide, yet she approaches every task with humility and without expectation of recognition. More than a volunteer, Jenny is the heart of the community. Her steadfast support for Widgee School, the Bushman’s Bar, and countless other groups and events reflects her remarkable leadership, dedication, and reliability. Week after week, year after year, she gives her time, expertise, and spirit to enrich the lives of others, leaving a lasting legacy of generosity and community connection. Jenny’s extraordinary service and positive influence make her an exceptional role model and a truly worthy recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award.
Young Citizen of the Year Award – Delara Mostofizadeh
Delara is a highly deserving winner of the 2026 Young Citizen of the Year Award. While her personal achievements in karate are exceptional, including gold medals at the Queensland State and Australian National Championships, a silver at the Australian Open, and a bronze at the Oceania Championships representing Australia, her most significant contribution lies in her selfless commitment to mentoring and supporting others. Delara demonstrates that true excellence is measured not only by personal success but by the ability to elevate those around her. She has shown outstanding dedication as a mentor within her local dojo, consistently investing her time and energy to teach and include younger students. Through her guidance, she fosters confidence, discipline, resilience, and positive mental health, inspiring the youth of Gympie to develop essential life skills and a sense of belonging. She leads by example, combining excellence, leadership, and compassion in a way that empowers her peers and enriches the community. Congratulations to Delara for her outstanding achievements, dedication, and selfless service.
Junior Sports Award – Archer Zwoerner
Archer is a highly deserving recipient of the Junior Sports Award for the 2026 Gympie Australia Day Awards, recognised for his exceptional achievements and unwavering dedication to BMX racing. An outstanding young athlete, Archer’s commitment to training, discipline, and personal excellence has seen him compete at the highest levels of his sport. In 2025, he proudly represented the Gympie region at the UCI BMX World Championships in Copenhagen, achieving an extraordinary result by earning a World Number 2 plate, an accomplishment that reflects not only his talent but also his resilience, determination, and belief. Beyond his competitive success, Archer is a positive role model within the local sporting community. He consistently demonstrates sportsmanship, humility, and leadership, encouraging and supporting fellow riders and inspiring younger athletes to pursue their goals. His passion for BMX, combined with his strong community spirit, makes him an athlete Gympie can be truly proud of.
Senior Sports Award – Eli Richards
Eli is a most deserving recipient of the 2026 Sports Award in recognition of his exceptional achievements in athletics, particularly discus. Throughout 2025, Eli represented Queensland on two occasions, demonstrating remarkable consistency and excellence at the highest levels of competition. In April, he competed at the Little Athletics National Championships in Adelaide, earning a bronze medal in the U15 boys discus. Later in the year, he claimed silver at the Queensland All Schools Championships in Brisbane, qualifying for the Australian All Schools Championships in Melbourne, where he won gold in the U16 boys discus with a personal best throw of 59.11 metres. Along the way, he has broken numerous club, school, and interschool records, cementing his reputation as an elite young athlete. Beyond his sporting success, Eli exemplifies dedication, leadership, and community pride. A long-time student of Goomeri State School, Eli was School Captain in 2025, awarded Dux, and has been athletics age champion every year since 2015. Known affectionately as the “paddock kid,” he trains on a homemade discus ring on his family’s farm in Tansey, making his achievements even more extraordinary given the limited resources available. Coming from a family with deep generational ties to the Goomeri region and a strong history of community service, Eli is not only a sporting champion but also a role model for young people across the region. His determination, humility, and commitment to excellence make him a truly worthy winner of the 2026 Sports Award.
Creative Award - Sharon Hogan
Sharon is worthy of this award in recognition of her outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to the arts through her role with the not-for-profit Perseverance Street Theatre Company. Since 2022, Sharon has volunteered her time as Artistic Director and CEO, demonstrating exceptional vision, dedication, and resilience. Through her leadership, the company has become a vital creative hub, providing meaningful opportunities for young people, mature women, and emerging artists to develop their skills, confidence, and professional pathways within the creative industries. Under Sharon’s guidance, the company has presented high-quality works to more than 13,000 audience members over four years and has toured productions across Queensland, proudly showcasing Gympie as a creative and culturally vibrant community. Her impact extends beyond the stage, leaving a lasting legacy through the artists she mentors, the careers she helps launch, and the positive cultural profile she has established for the region.
Community Group – Gympie Women in Business
Gympie Women in Business has been awarded the 2026 Community Group of the Year for its outstanding support and empowerment of women in the region. Under Ellen’s leadership, the group nurtures, encourages, and connects women at every stage of their business journey, from startups to established entrepreneurs. Through monthly networking events, celebrations such as International Women’s Day, awards nights, and ongoing mentorship, Gympie Women in Business has created a vibrant, inclusive community where no one has to navigate business alone.
Community Organisation – Little Haven Palliative Care Inc
Little Haven Palliative Care has been awarded the 2026 Community Organisation of the Year for its unwavering compassion and holistic support for individuals and families facing life-limiting illness. The organisation provides care in countless forms, during and after a patient’s journey, offering a safe space where tears are acknowledged, anger is honoured, resilience nurtured, and decisions respected. Services are inclusive, embracing people of all ages, creeds, and backgrounds, ensuring every member of the community receives dignity, comfort, and support when it is needed most.
Community Event – Gympie District Show Society
The Gympie District Show Society’s Agricultural Education Hub has been awarded the 2026 Community Event of the Year for its innovative contribution to the region. Launched at the 2025 Gympie Show under the theme “Farming in the Future,” the Hub brought science, technology, and agriculture together, engaging 2,136 visitors, including 1,169 primary school students, and attracting 379 STEM competition entries from 35 schools. Through hands-on learning, interactive displays, and partnerships with schools, businesses, and universities, the Hub celebrated Gympie’s agricultural heritage while inspiring the next generation of scientists and farmers. This initiative exemplifies community pride, participation, and collaboration, leaving a lasting impact on families, schools, and the broader Gympie community.