The Jindabyne community gathered at JJ Connors oval on the morning on Australia Day hosted by the Snowy Mountains Community Association, to celebrate the recognition of community members who have played a major part in the town over the past 12 months and more.

The 2026 Jindabyne Australia Day Citizen of the Year awarded to Dougie Graham.

Dougie is an inspirational young man who doesn't seek accolades but simply gets things done to support the local community. He is the founder of Santa Claus Pub Crawl and has raised more than $80,000 over the last five years to support community members with mental health and medical challenges. The Santa Claus Pub Crawl creates a rare and vital space for men to connect, form genuine friendships and engage in deep conversations. The Santa Claus Pub Crawl proves that when a community comes together, lives can change and be saved.

The Jindabyne 2026 Australia Day Environmental Award went to Petra Richter.

A local icon and clean-up guru, Petra has been tirelessly committed to a one-woman campaign to clean up rubbish on highways in the region and has thrown herself into it relentlessly, shoehorning her family and many locals into cleaning up rubbish. She can be seen early, late and in the heat collecting rubbish along many roads. She does this because she really cares about our local environment and wants to see it pristine for locals and visitors alike and has done so without thought of reward.

The 2026 Jindabyne Australia Day Young Sportsperson of the Year award went to Kirra Burke.

Kirra is a testament to homegrown sporting prowess. She started with the Under-10 Piglets in Rugby Union and progressed to significant sporting achievements, including:

• Member of the ACT Brumbies Under 17s

• Representative of various Australian Defence Force Rugby Union Teams

• Coach of various national and international rugby teams

Kirra has a passion for inspiring the next generation of women to get involved in sport.

The 2026 Jindabyne Australia Day Sports Group of the Year went to Jindabyne parkrun.

Rain, hail, or shine, the Jindabyne Park Run group is committed to getting the local community healthier and fitter, if they manage to Survive the extremes of temperature experienced locally. Erin Lee and the group meets every Saturday at 8 am, then regroup for coffee for those who survive.

The 2026 Jindabyne Australia Day Community Service Australia Day Award went to Claire Rogerson.

Claire Rogerson is the founder and driving force behind the snowy Brumby Horsemanship Charity. A community association supporting people and horses in the snowy Mountains region. Through her calm leadership, tireless volunteer efforts, and profoundly compassionate approach, Claire has created meaningful change for rescued and rehomed horses. Many people have benefited from the programs’ educational, therapeutic, and well-being activities. Claire’s work includes rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming brumbies to befit not only the horses but also the people who work with them. Not only has she done this extraordinary work with brumbies, but Claire has single-handedly resurrected the Dalgety Chamber of Commerce.

The 2026 Jindabyne Australia Day Mayor's Award went to Kevin Blyton.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council Mayor, Chris Hanna presented his annual Mayor’s Award to a local legend known across the entire region, Vale Kevin Blyton. For more than 40 years Blyton helped transform regional media and tourism, his impact still evident across southern NSW, the ACT and beyond. Colleagues, friends, and community members remembered him as an industry leader who quietly supported staff, mentored young professionals and invested in opportunities that strengthened towns and careers alike. Mostly – across his beloved Snowy Mountains and beyond – people recalled his trailblazing commitment to the region.

The 2026 Jindabyne Australia Day Senior Citizen of the Year went to Sally Weston.

Sally has played an integral role in a range of local organisations, including the Jindabyne Pony Club and the Monaro Equestrian Association. She has also contributed to the Snowy Heritage Centre and is committed to ensuring the heritage and stories of the Snowy Mountains are passed to future generations. More recently, Sally has been a key contributor to aged care, including the future use of the Berridale Hostel. Together with Postman John’s Community Association, Sally has brought the local community together to ensure better aged care.

The 2026 Jindabyne Australia Day Junior Citizen of the Year went to Saskia Dutch.

Saskia is the Jindabyne Bush Pigs publicity manager and events coordinator, responsible for promoting matches and events, coordinating community activities, and strengthening community between the club and the wider community. Saskia is a positive role model for young people and is respected for building strong, inclusive local connections.