Community-oriented activity is something that all of Brewarrina's Australia Day award winners have in common. 

The local citizens honoured this year include: 

• Citizen of the Year: Chris Redmond
• Young citizen of the year: Taniell Pokarier-Baker
• Young sportsperson of the year:  Matthew Thompson and Sophia Dowell
• Community Achievement Award: Nathan Johnson
• Senior Citizen Award: Peter Orcher 

“This year's recipients exemplify outstanding service and dedication across various fields, showcasing the diversity and talent that enriches our community," Brewarrina Mayor Tom Stanton said. 

"They inspire us all with their remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to making our community a better place."

Chris Redmond 

Chris Redmond has been running his transportation service in Brewarrina since 1987 and frequently uses his equipment to help out community events whether for sporting events, hay drives, or the rodeo. 

"Whenever there's a rodeo or race, we do something for them to keep the place going," Chris said. 

His motto is if you want to see good things happening for the community, you have to set an example. 

"If you don't do things to help the town, nothing ever happens."

Chris said it was a "great" feeling to win the Australia Day award for Citizen of the Year but he would have been just as much if not more pleased if one of the other nominees got. 

 Chris Redmond with his Australia Day Award. Photo: supplied.

Taniell Pokarier-Baker 

Young Citizen of the Year is Taniell Pokarier-Baker for using her successful business LuSid Shearing which she shares with her partner Kyle to grow employment in town and promote the shearing industry. 

"She exemplifies what it means to be a true leader in both business and the wider community and is a pillar of support and inspiration," her nomination read. 

Matthew Thompson

Matthew received the award of the Young Sportsperson of the Year award giving his many sporting endeavors which include rugby union, swimming, athletics, and motorbike gymkhanas. He has won school-aged champion two years in a row along with becoming the country-age champion and junior champion for small schools.

"Matthew continues to show promise and dedication, putting 100 percent effort into all his sporting endeavors," his nomination said.

Sophia Dowell

Sophia received the Young Sports Person of the Year award for her outstanding representation of the town, her school, and herself at cluster carnivals and Western Cluster in swimming, cross country, and athletics. 

"Sophia is a passionate and dedicated sportsperson, representing herself, the town, and her school exceptionally, excelling at the very top state level," her nomination read.

Nathan Johnson

Founded by Nina Barker in 2021, the Memories of Brewarrina Facebook page has grown from a small group to amassing 5,500 followers who are invested in the history of Brewarrina.

Nathan Johnson received the Community Achievement Award this year for his role in moderating the group and keeping town's history alive. 

"I felt genuinely overwhelmed. I didn't even think I'd get nominated," Nathan said.

He added that without the help of all the contributors and founder Nina Barker the page wouldn't be where it is today. 

"That's why it is so successful," Nathan said. 

Despite moving away from Brewarrina in 2016, Nathan remained in close touch with the community and used his tech skills for the Memories of Brewarrina Facebook page. 

On the site, past and current residents share photos and stories about living in the outback town, and has enabled people to reconnect with old friends and family members. 

"What we share includes all different aspects of local history. It's not just one side. It's about education," Nathan said. 

Stories on the site include history about the Festival of the Fisheries in the 1980s and 90s, Aboriginal history, and settler history. 

"The one thing I discovered was how easy it is to come together as a community," Nathan said. 

The Facebook page can be found here.

Peter Orcher 

Peter received the Senior Citizen for his lifelong dedication to the shearing industry, starting at the age of 17. He later went on to start a successful contracting business which employed hundreds across the shire. 

Last year, he was inducted into the Shearing Hall of Fame.