Loddon Shire honours Australia Day award winners

Published on 22 January 2026

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As a community of communities Loddon Shire relies heavily on volunteers to ensure it remains a great place to live, and some of our finest have been recognised with Loddon Shire Australia Day awards for 2026.

Wedderburn resident Robyn Vella was selected as the Loddon Shire Citizen of the Year, recognising a lifetime of volunteer service to her community across a wide range of organisations, but especially her decades-long drive to attract tourists to the region.

Down the road at Logan, farmer Oscar Holt was named Loddon Shire Young Citizen of the Year, his impressive achievements by the age of 24 including his service on and off the field with the Wedderburn Football Netball Hockey Club and in summer on the tennis courts where he is the President of the Inglewood and Districts Tennis Association.

The Australia Day Committee was unable to split three standout contenders for the Loddon Shire Community Group/Event of the Year – the time-honoured Rheola Charity Carnival, the 2025 Boort Agricultural and Pastoral Society Show, and the 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour visit to Bridgewater on Loddon.

As well as the shire-wide honours, the following local community members have been recognised through Ward Citizen of the Year awards:

Boort Ward – Sherryn O’Flaherty

Inglewood Ward – Deborah Abbott

Terrick Ward – Helen Stevens

Tarnagulla Ward – Brian Baker

Wedderburn Ward – Bruce Hargreaves

Loddon Shire Mayor Dan Straub congratulated all the award recipients.

“We rely so heavily in our shire on volunteers to make things tick, and yet again we have an outstanding list of recipients for our awards,” he said.

“I’d like to congratulate each and every one of the winners – and everyone nominated – for their part in making Loddon Shire such a great place to live and thank them for what has been decades of selfless and tireless service – the essence of great Australians.

“Along with the winners I congratulate everyone who nominated an individual or group for the awards – the detail in the submissions, largely gained without the nominee’s knowledge, was remarkable.”

Australia Day 2026 in Loddon Shire will see communities from across the region come together. Celebrations will take place at:

  • Boort – Nolen’s Park

     

  • Bridgewater on Loddon – Sloans Park

     

  • East Loddon – Calivil Hall

     

  • Eddington – Community Centre

     

  • Inglewood – Swimming Pool, Inglewood Community Sports Centre

     

  • Newbridge - Newbridge Hall

     

  • Pyramid Hill – Lions Park, Swimming Pool and tennis facilities

     

  • Wedderburn – Soldiers Memorial Park

 

Full details, including times and a list of guest speakers, can be found on the Council website.

 

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