Derwent Valley Australia Day award winners celebrated

The Derwent Valley celebrated Australia Day today with the community coming together in sunshine for a Family Fun day and award presentation on the New Norfolk Esplanade. 

The family fun day which was hosted by the Lions Club Of New Norfolk saw lots of people young and old enjoy good food, music and children's activities with many exhibitions including the Derwent Valley Railway Society, New Norfolk Scouts Group and TAS SES-Derwent Valley Unit, highlighting their own historic and iconic connection to the Valley, State and Country.

Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis along with Australia Day ambassador Stephanie Trethewey were on hand to present citizenship to 12 new Australians as well as present Australia Day awards to people for outstanding community and individual achievements. 

Mayor Dracoulis thanked everyone for attending and in parting also said "We gather on this great day and I hope we can take a moment to appreciate the simple things that bring us together, a shared place, a shared responsibility, and a shared commitment to caring for this valley and one another.

"Something I value about our community is its ability to hold space for more than one story at a time, to recognise that different experiences can sit alongside one another, and with the right attitude, still allow us to all move forward together."

"From Me" Australia Day - In history's page and for the future stage we all stand together, proud to be Australian and to live in what is the greatest country on the planet.

The 2026 Australia Day Award winners are:

2026 Citizen of the Year: Stacey Aldous 
2026 Young Citizen of the Year: Holly Vagg
2026 Senior Citizen of the Year: Pat Gillhespey
2026 Volunteer of the Year: Kirsten Kearney
2026 Sportsperson of the Year: Alex Bailey
2026 Community Event of the Year: Derwent Valley SES Halloween Night