News
9 January, 2026
Impressive line up of nominees for this year’s Wingecarribee Australia Day honours
You wouldn’t want to be a betting man (or woman) after Wingecarribee Shire Council this week named the nominees for this year’s Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year awards.
You wouldn’t want to be a betting man (or woman) after Wingecarribee Shire Council this week named the nominees for this year’s Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year awards.
Their contributions to the community are simply remarkable.
Most of the nominees will appreciate the honour – if they get it – but it is something they have never sought and the need for public recognition has never driven what they do.
Nor will it do so in the future.
They have all given selflessly of their time in the past – as historians, professionals, educators and advocates – and will no doubt continue to do so moving forward.
What they do and why they do it has never been for the public adulation – it has been for the community to which they belong.
The nine nominees for this year’s Wingecarribee Citizen of the Year award are Salman Ali, David Baxter, Katie Constantinou, Kerrie Eyding, James Fitzgibbons, Skye Leicester, Keith McKeller Stewart, Robert Pryor and Steve Cheers.
Wingecarribee Shire Council has published more information on each of the nominees online at wsc.nsw.gov.au
The four nominees for this year’s title of Young Citizen of the Year have also contributed significantly to the local community in a variety of ways – providing every indication they will be leaders of the future.
The nominees are Jayashruthi Palanisamy, Olivia Romano, Stephanie Onisforou and Chloe Ward.
The winners will be announced on January 26 at the Australia Day ceremony in Berrima.
The ceremony will commence at 9am in Market Place, Berrima and will also feature an address from the shire’s Australia Day ambassador, Kuma Pereira.
Mr Pereira is a well-known cook, author and culinary educator who wowed audiences on Season 3 of Masterchef and who has gone on to inspire thousands of people both here and overseas.
This year’s Australia Day celebrations will also include market stalls, live entertainment and amusement rides with the grand parade set to commence at 12 noon.
Residents and motorists are advised that there will be a number of road closures throughout the day – including the Old Hume Highway from 11am to 1pm.
Parking will be permitted in Berrima Village but will be limited so those people wanting to attend this year’s Australia Day ceremony and associated celebrations are advised to plan ahead and to arrive early.
Read More: Southern Highlands, Berrima