2026 Australia Day Award Recipients Celebrated
Published on 27 January 2026
Lachlan Shire Council is home to many people who, each and every day, inspire and motivate those in the further community. On Monday 26 January 2026, these community members were recognised for their dedication and spirit at the Lachlan Shire Local Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony in Lake Cargelligo.
With an early start to the day, breakfast was hosted by the Lake Cargelligo Rotary Club at the War Memorial Hall, with a great turn out from Award nominees and community members alike. Mayor John Medcalf OAM welcomed all to the ceremony, acknowledging honourable guests, and was followed by the Welcome to Country, delivered by Cr Judith Bartholomew.
This year, our nominated Australia Day Ambassador was Eren Incekara, who was present at the Ceremony to speak and present the Awards. Having achieved his lifelong dream of piloting the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for Qantas, and since 2021, Eren has volunteered with Little Wings, providing free, safe air transport for seriously ill children and their families from rural and regional NSW, QLD and the ACT.
Mayor John Medcalf OAM delivered the opening address, expressing his thanks to all in attendance, and congratulating all on their nominations, stating that no matter what the outcome may have been, each nominee’s contribution to the community has not gone unnoticed, and everyone nominated is a winner.
The 2026 Lachlan Shire Council Australia Day Awards were presented as follows:
Citizen of the Year was awarded to Lyn Lancaster, with Michael Malouf also nominated. Lyn and Michael were both nominated for the Community Service Aware as well.
Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Ashton Harris, with fellow nominee Quade Peterson being awarded in another category.
The Award for Community Service was presented to the Deadmans Point Volunteer Group, accepted by member, John Orr.
Sportsperson of the Year was Quade Peterson, with Ashton Harris and Lake Cargelligo Tigers Senior Australian Rules Football Team also nominated.
Event of the Year went to Tottenham Horse Sports and Gymkhana. Also nominated in this category was Santa Pub Crawl Condobolin, Tottenham Trevor’s Trivia Night – Brainwash, and Condobolin Rugby Union Ladies Day.
Lachlan Shire Council would like to congratulate all the nominees from the day and extend a thank you to those who put these individuals and groups forward in each category. Without community participation and efforts, this Awards Ceremony would not be such a great event each year.
Top left: Mayor John Medcalf with Citizen of the Year, Lyn Lancaster, and Australia Day Ambassador, Eren Incekara.
Top right: Tottenham Horse Sports and Gymkhana organiser, Clancy McCauley.
Bottom left: Deadmans Point Volunteer Group member, John Orr.
Bottom right: Mayor John Medcalf with Young Citizen of the Year, Ashton Harris, and Australia Day Ambassador, Eren Incekara.