2026 Australia Day Award recipients announced
Published on 26 January 2026
Pyrenees Shire Council is proud to announce its 2026 Australia Day Award recipients.
This year, the Citizen of the Year Award was shared between two recipients including:
- Benjamin Curnow
Benjamin’s achievements include:
- Apex Australia National President from 2023 to 2025, inspiring a resurgence in the national charity organisation
- Beaufort Apex Club member and Sargent of Arms, helping lead a campaign to build a Beaufort respite centre for ill children and their families
- Avoca Men’s Shed secretary and treasurer
- Amphitheatre CFA member
- Special Olympics Ballarat treasurer
- Past Apex Foundation director
- Avoca Sports and Recreation Committee member
- Assists the Lake Goldsmith Stream Preservation Association to secure grants for infrastructure projects
- Voluntarily maintains the Avoca Girl Guides grounds
2. Jane Graham
Jane’s achievements include:
- Raglan Hall and Recreation Reserve member
- Beaufort Primary School School Council member
- Beaufort Secondary School School Council member
- Mt Cole Fire Book Committee and was one of the main instigators of the book Scarred about the 2024 Bayindeen fires
- Organises monthly bingo sessions at the Raglan Hall to bring the community together and help maintain community wellbeing after the devastating fires.
One of Jane’s nominees said: “Jane is one of those very rare people that when she’s involved in something she gives 110% to it. Most of her work is usually in the background making sure that whatever needs doing is done”.
The Young Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Felicity Rentsch, who is an integral member of the Avoca Riverside Market and Avoca Pool committees.
Felicity’s nominator said: “As a committee member, she brings a youth perspective and leads the young volunteer team at our monthly market with strong leadership and organisation.”
The Event of the Year was awarded to the Beaufort CWA for Field of Poppies for ANZAC Day 2025.
This project brought the community together to create the visually powerful and poignant Field of Poppies in the Beaufort Memorial Gardens to complement the ANZAC Day 2025 services conducted by the Beaufort Ripon RSL.
This project encouraged locals and visitors alike to visit the gardens and cenotaph, brought people together in a shared act of creativity and remembrance, promoted intergenerational and inclusive participation, showcased local makers and supported reflection and conversation about a very important day in Australia’s history.
It is also intended to expand the installation over time, creating a beautiful and moving public art showpiece.
Pyrenees Shire Council Mayor Damian Ferrari said this year’s recipients devote significant time, energy and resources to helping others.
“While we honour these individuals and groups today, they represent just a small part of a much larger picture. Across our shire there are many quiet achievers and unsung heroes who contribute to their communities every day without recognition or fanfare,” Cr Ferrari said.
“We extend our sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks to everyone who gives their time and effort to make Pyrenees Shire such a special place to live.”
The Australia Day Address was given by World Heritage & Regional Development Lead, City of Ballarat Susan Fayad.
Ms Fayad said the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage bid by 15 Councils is a project that honours the global significance of the 19th-century gold rush while recognising its profound impacts and creating new opportunities for regional communities.
Citizenship was also conferred on three new citizens, including:
- Stephen Byrne – United Kingdom (Waubra)
- Tracy Kelly – New Zealand (Beaufort)
- Janie Taylor – United Kingdom (Snake Valley)
Cr Ferrari welcomed the new citizens to Pyrenees Shire.
“It’s very pleasing to see these new Australian citizens want to live in such a beautiful part of our great country and we welcome them here with open arms.”