Australia Day Awards
Nominations for the 2025 Australia Day Awards are now open!
Now is the time to nominate outstanding individuals or groups who make a significant contribution and difference to the Yass Valley!
Nominations can be submitted by community groups, organisations and individuals here.
2025 Australia Day Award Categories:
- Citizen of the Year
- Senior Citizen of the Year (65 years and over)
- Young Citizen of the Year (under 25 years)
- Outstanding Community Service Award
- Sportsperson of the Year
- Community Event of the Year
- Community Group of the Year
Nominations close 5pm Saturday, 30 November.
Australia Day 2024 Winners
The Yass Valley region’s 2024 Australia Day Award recipients have been announced.
The award recipients were honoured for their hard work and volunteering across the Yass Valley region.
The winners at this year’s 2024 Yass Valley Australia Day Award Presentation and Citizenship Ceremony were:
Ruth Thompson - Citizen of the Year
Ruth was nominated for her hard work and selfless support across multiple community organisations including the P&C at Berimba Primary School from the early 1970's until the late 1980's, the Yass Parish of the Uniting Church, organising soccer activities at Joe O'Connor oval, committee member and secretary of the committee organising the school aged Yass football and netball carnivals over a number of years in the 1980's, organising primary and high school aged basketball competitions at the Yass Memorial Hall Court, participating in planning for the Yass sports stadium, organising basketball competitions at the Yass Sports stadium (including organising a running a canteen for the children), volunteering for the Yass Meals on Wheels, volunteering to shop for residents at the New Linton nursing home, committee member of the Yass Vintage Car Club, member of the Yass Antique Machinery Club, volunteering at the Salvation Army op shop, volunteering for Can Assist and Relay for Life, Yass Show Society and the Yass Foodbank.
The Yass Valley region is lucky to have such a selfless women in our midst.
Sally Townsend - Sportsperson of the Year 
Sally was nominated for her involvement in supporting many local sporting clubs over many decades.
Since 2019, Sally has been a regular volunteer and participant of the Yass Riverbank Parkrun. In 2021, Sally announced to her family that she wanted to attempt a triathlon race before she turned 60. Sally joined Yass Valley Triathlon Club in May 2022 when it was established. Sally was also instrumental in the establishment of the Club and has ensured the success of the club with her contributions to supporting the clubs fundraising and social activities. Sally was awarded the Yass Valley Triathlon Club Triathlete of the Year 2023 due to her contributions to the Club and her achievements in racing throughout the season.
Yass Railway Heritage Centre - Community Group of the Year
The Yass Railway Heritage Centre were nominated for their work in ensuring the Yass Railway history is kept alive.
The Yass Railway Museum have revitalised the Yass Town Station precinct to encourage not only tourists but also local Yass Valley residents back to learn about the history of trains with in the Yass Valley. They are a dedicated team of volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure that this piece or Yass Valley heritage is not lost to the passing of time.
The Yass Railway Heritage Centre is the proud host of a monthly artisan market which have encouraged economic, tourism and social benefits for the Yass community. The markets are a unique opportunity for small businesses in and around the Yass region to promote themselves and their products. These hardworking individuals have encouraged the community to come together and support local businesses.
Murrumbateman Field Days - Event of the Year
The Murrumbateman Field Days were nominated for the event on 21-22 October, 2023.
The Murrumbateman Field Days offers a family-friendly country experience over a fantastic weekend. Last year, it attracted over 15,000 visitors, showcased over 300 exhibitors and was run by 2,000 volunteers with 16 community groups involved.
The Field Days operates under a unique model that ensures community benefit is maximised from the event. $34,600 was paid back to the community groups providing services during the event. Any profit from the Field Days goes to support all Murrumbateman Community Association activities through the year including the maintenance of public facilities, the successful organisation and running of the Murrumbateman Community Markets, the Murrumbateman Men's Shed and any seasonal events held at the Murrumbateman oval, such as the Christmas carols and Halloween markets.
Edward Alley - Volunteer of the Year
Edward is nominated for his work and dedication for the Yass Rural Fire Service, Yass RSL and Yass Redbacks Soccer Club and for his assistance with multiple community events playing his musical instrument - the bugle.
Edward spends numerous personal hours running the Redbacks Soccer Club. He never complains and is always willing to help out. He not only holds the presidents position but also sorts out the football fields at Walker Park for summer and winter soccer.
Edward is a valued member of the Yass Rural Fire Brigade.
Mayoral Special Australia Day Award Recipients:
"Each year I am privileged to be able to award Australia Day Mayoral Awards for outstanding service to the Yass Valley Community. This year I am pleased to provide these awards to the Yass Police and Yass Ambulance Services who have been chosen due to their ongoing service, above and beyond expectations, to our community." - Yass Valley Mayor Allan McGrath.
