Australia Day is celebrated across Indigo Shire on the 26th of January each year. There are a variety of events across the Shire that include local entertainment, awards presentations, guest speakers and flag raising and lowering ceremonies.
All events will be operated in accordance with the Victorian Government COVID Safe Public Events Framework. All attendees are required to register on arrival via QR code (preferred) or a written list.
For further information, please contact Indigo Shire Council on 1300 365 003.
Barnawartha
7:30am - 9:30am
Soldiers Memorial Hall, High Street Barnawartha
Community BBQ and award announcements.
Hosted by the Barnawartha Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee.
**This event is registered as a COVIDSafe Event. A copy of the COVIDSafe Event Checklist can be found here(PDF, 664KB) **
Rutherglen
7.45am – 10am
Lions Park, Douglas Street Rutherglen
Community breakfast, entertainment and award announcements.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Rutherglen
**This event is registered as a COVIDSafe Event. A copy of the COVIDSafe Event Checklist can be found here(PDF, 3MB) **
Beechworth
8am – 9.30am
Town Hall Gardens, Loch Street Beechworth.
Community BBQ, award announcements and entertainment.
Hosted by the Beechworth Lions Club, Rotary Club of Beechworth, Beechworth CWA and Beechworth Scouts.
**This event is registered as a COVIDSafe Event. A copy of the COVIDSafe Event Checklist can be found here(PDF, 675KB) **
Yackandandah
8am – 10am
Sir Isaacs Park, Isaacs Avenue Yackandandah.
Community BBQ breakfast, award announcements, entertainment and live music.
Hosted by the Yackandandah Lions Club.
**This event is registered as a COVIDSafe Event. A copy of the COVIDSafe Event Checklist can be found here(PDF, 676KB) **
Wahgunyah
9.30am-11am
Willows Recreation Reserve, Wahgunyah.
Community BBQ and award announcements.
Hosted by the Wahgunyah Progress Association.
**This event is registered as a COVIDSafe Event. A copy of the COVIDSafe Event Checklist can be found here(PDF, 658KB) **
Chiltern
9.45am – 11.30am
Tourist Park, Main Street Chiltern.
Community Morning Tea, entertainment and award announcements.
Hosted by the Chiltern Girl Guides.
**This event is registered as a COVIDSafe Event. A copy of the COVIDSafe Event Checklist can be found here(PDF, 663KB) **
Kiewa/Tangambalanga
11am – 1pm
Kiewa Memorial Park, Kiewa East Road, Kiewa
Community Lunch, award announcements and entertainment.
**This event is registered as a COVIDSafe Event. A copy of the COVIDSafe Event Checklist can be found here(PDF, 680KB) **
The Australia Day Awards celebrate the outstanding individuals and community organisations and businesses in the region who make extraordinary contributions to society.
Anyone can nominate a friend, family member, community leader or colleague who has made a beneficial contribution to our community.
The awards are open to individuals who reside within and groups who conduct their activities within Indigo Shire.
Emma George Junior Sporting Scholarship
The Emma George Junior Sporting Scholarship is aimed at young sports people from within Indigo Shire who wish to apply for assistance in pursuing their sporting activities at Regional, State or National levels of competition. More details can be found in the guidelines section of the nomination form.
If you would like to receive updates about the awards please register here:
Frequently Asked Questions
How does someone become nominated?
Anyone can nominate by completing the appropriate category nomination form and returning it to Council. Nominations must be accompanied by suitable details to assist the judging panel. An individual or group may be nominated in one category only. All nominations must comply with the General Conditions of Entry, have a nominator and referee and submit the required documentation addressing all areas of the selection criteria.
What happens once someone is nominated?
Once nominations close the nomination forms are forwarded to the Indigo Shire Community Grants and Awards Advisory Committee. The committee will preside over the nominations and determine the award recipients. Nominees may, at the discretion of the Selection Panel, be transferred to another category.
Australia Day Award 2020 Winners
2020 Indigo Shire's Citizen of the Year:
2020 Young Citizen of the Year:
2020 Certificates of Achievement:
- Kiewa- Tangambalanga District: Shelley Lancaster
- Beechworth and District: Ian McVea
- Chiltern and District: Joan McDonnell
- Rutherglen and District: Sandra O'Toole
- Barnawartha and District: Pauline Fisher
Other Awards:
- Indigo Shire Community Organisation of the Year: Wahgunyah Progress Association
- Emma George Junior Sporting Scholarship: Tiahn Barnard