Australia Day ambassadors for the Hilltops region Australia Day 2026 celebrations are Mel Thomas, Khushaal Vyas and Warwick Nowland. Image: Hilltops Council.
Communities across the Hilltops are preparing for the first major event of 2026, with the official programs for Australia Day now locked in for Sunday 26 January.
It’s that one day of the year residents from Boorowa, Harden-Murrumburrah, Wombat and Young will turn out to celebrate everything Australia while also honouring volunteers and community contributors amid a day packed with fun family activities.
As usual, each town will welcome an Australia Day ambassador, who will deliver a keynote address and highlight the importance of civic pride, service and community connection.
In Boorowa, celebrations kick off at Recreation Park in Pudman Street from 8 am with a Lions Club breakfast and children’s fishing competition, leading into the official ceremony at 9:30 am.
Mel Thomas, founder and CEO of the KYUP! Project, is this year’s official Australia Day ambassador.
Having worked nationally in youth empowerment, personal safety and self-worth education, delivering programs in schools, councils and with emergency services, Mel will speak on the role of regional towns in supporting young people and fostering connected communities.
Boorowa is big on recognition – bestowing the largest number of awards in the Hilltops region – celebrating contributions across community service, sport, youth and the environment.
The local 2026 Australia Day award recipients will be announced during the official ceremony.
Last year’s major honours went to Phillip and Trish Riles, who were named Lions/Apex Citizens of the Year; Molly Stephens, who was the Rotary Young Achiever and Paul Cavanagh, who was the community Landcare Award winner.
Sporting awards recognised Keagan Size as Senior Sportsperson of the Year as well as Club Person of the Year, while the Boys Open Touch Team were announced Sporting Team of the Year and Harry Dymock and Amali Bush were junior sporting award recipients.
Community service awards went to Judy Ford, John Ryan (Jack) and Ann Wales, while John Snelling was honoured with the Len & Joan Oxley Memorial Award.
Boorowa’s celebrations continue with a Rotary rubber duck race, lawn bowls, golf and evening entertainment.
In Harden-Murrumburrah, events begin at 8 am in Newson Park, Albury Street with breakfast and live entertainment ahead of the official ceremony which features Australia Day ambassador Khushaal Vyas.
A human rights lawyer, social commentator and not-for-profit leader, Khushaal champions fairness, inclusion and opportunity for young Australians.
A finalist in the 2025 Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards, Khushaal has worked extensively with Youth Law Australia, providing legal advice to young people facing workplace exploitation, unfair dismissal or underpayment, and regularly delivers outreach programs to regional communities.
Beyond his legal work, Khushaal teaches Employment Law at UNSW, serves on boards including Youth Action NSW, and contributes commentary on law reform, social justice and diversity to leading publications.
His role as ambassador highlights the importance of fairness, community engagement and supporting young people to speak up and take action.
During the official ceremony, Harden-Murrumburrah will also celebrate its local 2026 Australia Day award winners.
Major honours last year went to Maryanne Fitzgerald, Citizen of the Year; Jim Wright, Senior Citizen of the Year; and Bella Cooper, Junior Citizen of the Year.
Special community awards were presented to Allison Manwaring and Carol Baker, while sporting recognition went to Jeremy and Teigan Martin, and the Towncare Award went to Graham Hill.
Khushaal Vyas will also attend Wombat’s celebrations, which begin at 10 am at Wagenbah Oval.
Attractions include a free sausage sizzle, a parade, tractor pulls, vintage car displays, market stalls and camel rides.
Wombat’s 2025 local Australia Day award winners included Citizen of the Year, Chris Manchester, and Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Grace Card.
The 2026 recipients will be announced during Wombat’s official ceremony.
In Young, Australia Day proceedings start at 8:30 am in Carrington Park, with citizenship and affirmation ceremonies from 9 am.
Their Australia Day ambassador is Warwick Nowland who is a two-time FIM Endurance World Champion and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans motorcycle race, with a career that spans international championships and team leadership roles.
Hailing from Quirindi, Warwick’s journey reflects resilience, adaptability and the pursuit of excellence.
Beyond racing, he mentors emerging athletes, studies psychology and human behaviour, and works to help individuals and teams reach their potential.
As ambassador, Warwick will speak on perseverance, self-belief and community spirit, emphasising mateship, diversity and the courage to chase big dreams.
Young’s 2025 Australia Day award winners included Bill Kearney, Citizen of the Year; James Payne, Junior Citizen of the Year; and Georgia Wheeler, Sportsperson of the Year.
The 2026 recipients will be announced during the ceremony, followed by a community barbecue, live music and family entertainment.
Across the Hilltops, residents are also encouraged to enjoy free entry to council swimming pools in Boorowa, Harden, Jugiong and Young throughout the day.
