THE people who help make Dungog such a special place to live have been recognised at this year’s Dungog Shire Council Australia Day Awards.
In describing these remarkable people, Council shared that they are locals who “give their time, energy and hearts to support others, often quietly and without expectation”.
The 2026 Citizen of the Year was awarded to joint recipients, Gillian Finch and Annette Ellicott.
They are “highly respected community members whose decades of service, volunteering and care for others truly represent the very best of our Shire”.
Also recognised are:
• Young Citizen of the Year, Isla Briggs
• Volunteer Service to the Community Award, Vicki Lee Rumbel
• Environmental Citizen of the Year, Simon Brownbridge and Louise Boothroyd
• Senior Sportsperson of the Year, Shelby Lee Wintle
• Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Shea Egan and Reid Townsend
• Arts & Culture Award, Helene Lene.
The Shire also welcomed its two newest Australian Citizens, Carina Ryan and Rodelyn Jones.
Monday’s ceremony was also attended by State MP Dave Layzell and 2026 Australia Day Ambassador Viv Kartsounis.
Viv is a passionate changemaker and the founder of Shoes for Planet Earth, a charity that has transformed over 100,000 lives by providing sports shoes to people in need.
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