Health worker and firefighter Alice Gordon has claimed Brewarrina's Citizen of the Year.

Ms Gordon was recognised for 17 years in NSW Health, where we has worked in child, family and antenatal care over before joining a response team to COVID-19.

She now works to ensure children across a swathe of western NSW have access to key vaccinations.

"I try my hardest in every aspect that I do, and it's just really nice that someone has noticed," she told the Western Plains App.

"I actually sit on the Australia Day committee and still didn't know it was happening, so I was shocked."

Of her 17 years with NSW Health, about 13 have been in Brewarrina.

According to a release from Brewarrina Shire, she played a key role in developing a clinician upskilling program, which so became so successful that it was adopted statewide.

That earned her accolades including Excellence in Aboriginal Health Care and Excellence in Multicultural Health Care, which Ms Gordon counted among her highlights from 2025.

She also serves as a retained firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW and mentors young women and volunteers on numerous community boards and committees.

Brewarrina Citizen of the Year Alice Gordon. IMAGE: Brewarrina Shire Council

Brewarrina's Australia Day awards recongnised nominees across eight categories.

At Brewarrina Memorial Pool, local Peter 'Orch' Orcher took the honour as the town's Australia Day Ambassador.

The veteran shearer and advocate for Indigenous participation in the wool industry won Senior Citizen at the 2025 awards.

Brewarrina Shire mayor Tommy Stanton acknowledged mixed emotions about the national day.

“We recognise that Australia Day is not a simple day for everyone. For many in our community, it is a day of reflection, sadness and resilience. As a Council, we acknowledge this truth and respect the diverse experiences and feelings held across the Brewarrina Shire and beyond,” he said.

“At the same time, it remains important that we honour those who inspire us and make our community stronger and more vibrant every single day. These awards are not about celebrating a date; they are about celebrating our people.

"Today we recognise those who give their time, their skills and their hearts to our community. I congratulate every one of our nominees and award recipients and thank them for the positive impact they continue to make."

The 2026 Brewarrina Day award winners are:

• Senior Citizen of the Year – Gary Peterson

• Citizen of the Year – Alice Gordon

• Sportsperson of the Year – Mackinley Codrington

• Young Sportsperson of the Year – Alaina Richards

• Community Event of the Year – Brewarrina Central School 150‑Year Reunion

• Australia Day Award (Business Category) - South Bre Butchery

• Australia Day Award (Individual Category) - Christopher McHughes

• Australia Day Award (Group Category) - Culgoa Community Sports Club