Across nine categories, council received 37 nominations (see opposite page).
The strongest category is Citizen of the Year, which has eight nominees.
It is double the nominees from last year, but on par with previous years.
Kicking off the nominees list (in alphabetical order) is teacher and Channel4Change founder Brenda Norman, who conquered the North Channel on another of her long distance swims while raising money for her charity.
Deniliquin Truck Show & Industry Expo executive members John Creenaune and Leesa Muir have also made the list, along with Deniliquin business owner and Deniliquin South School P&C president Kate Smith.
Rounding out the nominees are Ricegrowers Association of Australia policy and project manager Neil Bull, Navorina Auxiliary chair Mari Drennan, community volunteer Robyn McIlwain and Rotarian Martin Wilmshurst.
Another strong category is the Community Group of the Year, with seven nominees.
These include sporting groups, charities and community groups who have celebrated significant achievements in 2025.
The Junior Sports Award category attracted six nominations, while the other awards had between two and four nominees each.
Winners in each category will be announced and celebrated at the Edward River Council Australia Day ceremony, to be held Monday, January 26 at the Deniliquin Town Hall.
Free to attend and open to all, the celebrations begin with a free breakfast from 8.30am.
The ceremony and awards proceedings are then expected to start about 10am.
The morning will include performances by Sing Australia and the Edward River Concert Band, and ambassador and guest speaker is Deni Ute Muster general manager Vicky Lowry.
Known for steering the Deni Ute Muster - one of Australia’s most celebrated rural festivals - to record-breaking success, Mrs Lowry brings her passion for community, connection and regional pride to this year’s celebrations.
“I am deeply honoured to be selected as the 2026 Australia Day Ambassador for Edward River,” she said.
“It’s a privilege to represent a community that I care so deeply about – one that has shaped me both personally and professionally – and to celebrate the people who make our region such a strong and connected place to live.”
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